206 Meteorological Observations on Grey Lock Mountain. [Oct., 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON GREY LOCK 

 MOUNTAIN. 



The following communication from our esteemed friend we 

 give entire, and in the form it was received. We deem it a valu- 

 able communication, and wish most sincerely that similar obser- 

 vations may be multiplied. A few explanatory remarks seeem to 

 be required for the benefit of our readers who are not acquainted 

 with the localities referred to in the communication. 



Grey Lock is the highest point of land in Massachusetts, and is 

 3,500 feet above the level of the sea. This is the highest station. 

 The lowest station, that of the observatory, is about 800 feet above 

 tide-water at Albany. The station in the Hopper is upon the 

 west side of Saddle Mountain, the summit of which is called Grey 

 Lock, and is situated in a deeply shaded position; but the obser- 

 vations are important, particularly so, in consequence of their 

 showing the influence of location and exposure in modifying the 

 results. The station must have been about 1,000 feet below Gray 

 Lock, and is yet a colder position than this high peak. 



The latitude of these places is 42° 43' N.— Ed. 



Williams College, Oct. 1, 1847. 

 Dk. Emmons: 



Two or three years since, our Meteorological Society made 

 some observations, with a view to determine the law of decrease 

 in temperature at different elevations. Prof. Coffin, who was at 

 that time an instructor here, has recently requested rae to repeat 

 these observations. During the last term some young men volun- 

 teered their services for a week, and the result of their observa- 

 tions and those made at the observatory, will be found below. 

 Prof. Coffin suggested the Astronomical Observatory, the Hopper, 

 and the summit of Grey Lock, as the three places of observation; 

 these seemed eligible points, and we, accordingly, took them. 

 Messrs. Bumstead & Chadbournc repairing to the latter, whilst a 

 small encampment was pitched in the Hopper by Messrs. Bradley 

 & Corwin. The observations were commenced on Monday, July 

 .5th, and continued till Saturday morning. The result of these 

 observations will not, I fear, assist my friend Coffin, materially, 

 in his meteorological researches. It reminds me of a result to 

 which, I recollect Prof. Eaton said he once came, in getting ba- 

 rometrically the height of Mt. Ida, at Troy. The summit of the 

 hill turned out to be " several feet below the s\nface of the North 



