EXPLORATIONS AMONG THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 



91 



ington for meteorological purposes. He received encouragement from 

 Prof. Joseph Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution, and was allowed to 

 occupy one of the houses. An vmexpected snow storm delayed some of 

 his preparations, and meanwhile other considerations prevented him from 

 carrying out the enterprise. 



The history of the successful establishment of the observatory, in 

 connection with the geological survey, will presently be given in full 



/ 



«■« 



'Kr. -V>^V' 



Fig. 10. — SUMMIT OF MX. WASHINGTON FROM THE NORTH. 

 Depot and Summit House in 1B70. 



Signal Service Occupation. Mt. Washington has been occupied as one 

 of the stations of the signal service since its abandonment by the geolog- 

 ical survey, in May, 1871. Sergeant T. Smith was relieved by Sergeant 

 M. L. Hearne, in June, 1871. Sergeant Hearne was assisted by private 

 William Stevens, till his death, Feb. 22, 1872,— his place being taken by 

 Robert J. Bell. They arranged a box like a chimney, extending above 

 the ridge-pole, so that they could climb up and expose the anemometer 

 without going out of doors themselves. The head is protruded a single 

 instant, in order to place the instrument properly; and the sensation 

 experienced, when the wind is blowing at the rate of ninety miles to the 



