92 General A. W. Greely — Geograpliy of the Air. 



These publications and charts are based upon an uni)aralleled 

 series of oliservations ; they rei)resent graphically the lal)or of 

 meteorologists throughout the civilized world for a j^eriod of thir- 

 teen years ; they are unique in the annals of meteorology ; and 

 their proper presentation, rendered impracticable heretofore 

 owing to insufficiency of funds, is alone needed to class them 

 with the most treasured products of modern meteorology. In 

 completing this work, the Signal office has comjDiled maps show- 

 ing the mean pressure of the northern hemisphere as deduced 

 from ten years observations under this S}^ stem', and the changes 

 in pressure from month to month: and it has also' charted the 

 average storm frequenc}^ for each month of the year. 



In considering these great labors, one may be named who is 

 no longer sensitive to criticism, the late General Albert J. Myer, 

 whose diplomatic skill and wonderful persistency in dealing with 

 the legislative branch of the government and Avhose judgment in 

 selecting his subordinates ensured ultimatel}" Ijoth a financial 

 support for the service in general, and also an excellence of exe- 

 cution in general weather predictions and in detailed work 

 throughout the country which have never lieen attained by any 

 other meteorological ser^dce in the world. Then theoretically 

 equal credit is due to the late Professor Ferrel, whose relations 

 were maintained with the Signal service until he sought his well 

 earned retirement, and from whose intelligent ability' and apti- 

 tude for research have proceeded the most complete and satisfac- 

 tory treatises on meteorology from a scientific and mathematical 

 standpoint. The important services rendered l:>y other distin- 

 guished professors merit siuiilar praise. 



As to the officers and professors forming the general staff of 

 the bureau, it may be remarked that their labors in organizing, 

 developing and operating the meteorological work of this service 

 Avill never be adequately stated or generall}^ recognized. It is, 

 however, a matter of record that the meteorological system de- 

 vised b}^ officers of the United States army has proved to lie the" 

 most successful })ractical service in the world, and has served as 

 a working model and example for other nations, while its unique 

 exhibits have elicited un]3aralleled commendation. The records 

 of such officers as have participated in the work of this service 

 for any prolonged period show the native ability and special 

 adaptitude of army officers, wheri ordered to scientific duty for 

 whicli thev had not Wqw educated and which more than one 



