226 



TABLES OF MONTHLY EXTREMES 



Although the contents of the tables of observed extremes of temperature can 

 readily be scanned by simple inspection, there are a few nrominent features which 

 deserve to be specially noticed. 



With respect to extreme heat, perhaps the most remarkable contrast is presented 

 in the case of Fort Simpson, in latitude 62° 10', having a greater recorded maximum 

 (104°) than even stations on the Gulf of Mexico; as for instance. New Orleans 

 (100°) and Key West (98°). This arises on the one hand from the prolonged 

 insolation and consequent accumulation of heat and from the dryness of the air at 

 the northern station, and, on the other hand, mainly from the presence of a large 

 amount of moisture at the southern stations. The difference of latitude is not less 

 than 37 1°. Of places showing high extremes in all months. Forts Fillmore and 

 Cummings, New Mexico, are prominent examples ; at these stations the heat in 

 January rises to 95° but only to 107° in June. The former fort has an altitude of 

 3937 feet. Other stations of high January heat are Fort Duncan, Texas, with 91°, 

 and Camp McDowell, Arizona, Fort Mcintosh and Ringgold Barracks, Texas, 

 with 90° each. 



If we regard 110° Fah. as an exceptionally high temperature we shall find it 

 exceeded in the following states or territories and stations, according to our limited 

 table : — 



Arizona . 



. Fort Mojav6 



. iiS" 



California 



. Fort Miller . 



. 121, 



Dakota 



. Fort Sully . 



. 114 



Idaho .... 



. Fort Boise . 



. 121 



Indian Territory 



. Fort Gibson 



. ii6 



Kansas . . . 



. Fort Larned 



. 115. 



Montana . 



. Fort Shaw . 



. 112, 



Nebraska . 



. Fort McPhersoi 



1 . IIS 



Nevada 



. Camp Halleck 



. Ill, 



New Mexico . 



. Fort McRae 



. 120, 





Albuquerque 



• 114, 



Texas .... 



. Fort Mason . 



. 114. 



also Camp Cady 118°, elevation 3000 feet. 



elevation 1932 feet, 

 elevation 6000 feet. 



elevation 5600 feet, 

 elevation 4500 feet, also 

 elevation 5032 feet. 



These stations are all in the western part of the United States, and many of them 

 at considerable elevations. 



Exceptionally depressed heat, in January, we find noted at: Fort Ransom 34° 

 and Fort Wadsworth 40° in Dakota; at New Ulm and Sibley, Minn., 41°, and at 

 Lunenburg, Vt., Stratford, N. H., and Fort Wrangel, Alaska, of 42°. 



With respect to extreme cold its geographical distribution depends mostly on the 

 latitude, and not like the extreme heat, as we have seen, mostly on the longitude. 

 Outside the boundaries of the United States, we have at Van Rensselaer Harbor 

 the lowest temperature recorded — 66°. 4. At Peel River we find — 56° recorded, 

 at Fort Simpson — 55°. The temperature sinks below that at which mercury 

 congeals, which is — 39° Fah. zbl°, in the following States and places, according 

 to our limited table : — 



