19 



THE WIND. 



Observations on the movements of the atmosphere have been made by 

 means of two instruments ; the Beckley's Anemograph and the Robinson's 

 Anemometer. A slight interruption has occured in the use of both but 

 fortunately at no one time have both been disabled. Two different Anemometer.'! 

 have been used during the year, one having been blown down and injured beyond 

 repair by the high wind of Feb. 23. As soon as possible another was mounted 

 in its stead. At another time the record of the Anemograph was interrupted on 

 account of needed repairs the interruption lasting, however, only a few days. 

 In the accompanying tables and charts the results as to the velocity of the 

 wind are made up, as far as possible, from the records of the Anemometer rather 

 than the Anemograph. The moving mass in the former being so much smaller 

 than in the latter it has proved to lie by far the most sensitive, often being in 

 motion when the Anemograph is absolutely at rest. It has also been found 

 upon a comparison of the two that while the Anemometer will record a wind of 

 low velocity to which the Anemograph will not respond, in high wind the record 

 of the latter is in excess of that of the former. 



The direction of the wind has, however, been taken from the record sheets 

 of the Anemograph which are certainly correct in this respect within the limits 

 laid down in the charts and tables. 



Table G gives the actual number of miles of movement of the atmosphere 

 since the last observation at each of the three observations for every day in the 

 year, with totals. From this it will be seen that the total movement during the 

 year in all directions was 49380.6 miles being at the average rate of 135.3 miles 

 per day or about 5.6 miles per hour. 



In table H will be found the direction of the wind at the time of each 

 observation recorded in table GL When there is no perceptible motion of the air at 

 the time of making the observation the direction given is that of the last observed 

 movement. Table I exhibits the total motion of the atmosphere for every day of 

 the year with the prevailing direction of the wind during the day and the 

 maximum and minimum movements for each month. Even with the direction 

 of the wind for every hour of the day correctly recorded it is difficult to determine 

 the prevailing direction in every instance with entire satisfaction. It is here 

 made to depend upon both time and velocity of wind as far as possible but it will 

 doubtless be found that when comparison is made between this and other tables 

 there will be apparent inconsistencies. 



The maximum movement of the atmosphere in a single period of 24 hours 

 occurred on December 26, the total number of miles being 597.5 or a trifle less 

 than an average of 25 miles per horn for the entire 24 hours. On this day 

 occurred, in the city of Tokio the most extensive and disastrous conflagration 

 which has visited it for several years, the rapid and distinctive spread of which 

 was due to the excessive velocity of the wind. In fact the maximum velocity 



