VIII PREFACE. 



Besi<les the general addition of the results of eight years of new observations 

 and the construction of enlarged and improved hyetic charts, I decided, in November, 

 1880, on the publication of the Rain-Fall Tables, in extenso, that is to give the amount 

 for each month at every station for the entire series ; this admits of ready addition from 

 time to time, and will greatly assist the labors of future investigators. These tables 

 will be furnished to the United States Signal Service for publication. 



Improvements in the arrangement of the general tables have been made. They 

 are now given in alphabetical order by States and by stations in each State. The 

 second set of tables, containing the yearly amounts of precipitation, were generally 

 brought up to the end of 1874. The explanatory notes and deductions from the 

 charts were written anew ; the remaining portion of the discussion is reprinted from 

 the stereotyped plates of the first edition. The new edition was brought out under 

 Mr. Schott's general direction, aided by Mr. E. H. Courtenay, with the necessary 



clerical assistance. 



S. F. BAIRD, 



Secretary S. I. 

 Washington, D. C, March, 1881. 



