Meteorology 653 



in that year an appropriation was made by Congress for 

 meteorology under the direction of the Secretary of the 

 Navy. According to the Smithsonian Report for 1848, "in 

 order that the observations thus established may not interfere 

 with those undertaken by the Smithsonian Institution, that 

 officer [the Secretary of the Navy] has directed Professor 

 Espy to cooperate with the Secretary of the Institution." * 



The plan had now reached that stage of development when 

 it could be definitely formulated, and Henry continues : " It 

 is contemplated to establish three classes of observers among 

 those who are disposed to join in this enterprise. One class, 

 without instruments, to observe the face of the sky as to its 

 clearness, the extent of cloud, the direction and force of wind, 

 the beginning and ending of rain, snow, etc. A second class, 

 furnished with thermometers, who, besides making the obser- 

 vations above mentioned, will record variations of tempera- 

 ture. The third class, furnished with full sets of instruments, 

 to observe all the elements at present deemed important in 

 the science of meteorology. It is believed that much valu- 

 able information may be obtained in this way with reference 

 to the extent, duration, and passage of storms over the coun- 

 try, though the observer may be possessed of no other ap- 

 paratus than a simple wind-vane. With the instruments 

 owned by private individuals, with those at the several mili- 

 tary stations, and with the supply of the deficiency by the 

 funds of the Smithsonian Institution, it is believed that ob- 

 servations can be instituted at important points over the 

 whole United States, and that with the observations which 

 we can procure from Mexico and the British possessions of 

 North America, data will be furnished for important additions 

 to our knowledge of meteorological phenomena." 2 



For the accomplishment of this plan there was required, 



1 " Smithsonian Report," 1847, page 15. ^Ibidem. 



42* 



