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valuable observations may be made without instruments. Among these may be mentioned the 

 character of the clouds — the quarter from which they come — proportion of the entire heavens 

 covered — also the force of the wind, etc. 



IV. Hours of Observation. 



A great variety of objects are to be accomplished by Meteorological observations, all of which 

 can only be secured by observations made at every hour of the twenty-foiu. We should be glad to 

 see such a labor undertaken at some of the Academies in this State ; but of course could not think 

 of recommending it for general adoption. For most purposes, observations in the night are quite 

 as valuable as during the day ; and particularly in tracing the effects of a storm, it is important that 

 there should be no very long interval between two successive observations. For this reason, it is 

 desirable that one observation should be made as early in the morning and another as late in tlie 

 evening as is consistent with general convenience. Sunrise and 9 p. m. fulfill these conditions, and 

 are besides recommended by other considerations. 9 a. m. is an important hour, because it furnishes 

 very nearly the mean temperature of the day, and 3 p. m. is very near the hour of greatest heat. We 

 accordingly recommend four hours of observation, viz. sunrise, 9 a. m., 3 and 9 p. m. 



It is desirable that special observations should be made whenever any extraordinary phenomena 

 occur. For example, if the barometer is unusually high or low, the time and amomit of the maxi- 

 mum or minimum should be entered mider " Remarks." So also in a great storm, the precise instant 

 of the wind's changing should be recorded, etc. 



V. Instructions to be issued to Observers. 



In case this system should be introduced, it will of course become necessary to issue specific 

 instructions with respect to the proper position of the instruments, and the mode of using them. We 

 will not enter upon this subject at present, but we will suggest that before the instruments are distri- 

 buted to the Academies, they should all be carefully compared with some acknowledged standard at 

 Albany or New- York, and a record of the comparison be preserved in an official form for subsequent 

 reference. Columbia College is in possession of one of Newman's Standards, and we are not aware 

 of any other in the State. 



It will probably be best to have printed forms distributed to all the observers. We forward a 

 form as a sample, which, however, we do not recommend without some modification. 

 All which is respectfully submitted. 



Signed, Andrew H. Green, 



Elias Loomis, ). Committee. 



W. C. Redfield, 



