41 



CONCLUSION. 



It will be remembered that the foregoing tables and charts represent the 

 results of only a single years observations. To enter upon any extensive 

 discussion of these results would be useless. Before attempting any important 

 generalizations concerning the local meteorology it wäll be necessary to wait for 

 a further accummulation of facts. Some general principles seem to be so clearly 

 indicated by these results that I have ventured in a few instances, to call 

 attention to them. Most of the important results of the year's work are here 

 collected and classified for convenience of future comparison and it is believed 

 that each year will add to their value. It is hoped that the efficiency and value 

 of the work may be increased during the next year by carrying out some 

 improvements already proposed and by making a few additions to the equipment 

 which I will here suggest. 



During the past year the necessity of duplicating several of the most 

 important instruments has been shown. It is to be expected that now and then 

 an instrument will become disabled by accident or otherwise and this may some- 

 times cause serious interruption to the work. The value of meteorological 

 observations depends on their regularity and continuity. Situated as we are, so 

 far from ordinary sources of supply for such material, the only way of preventing 

 such interruptions seems to be by keeping duplicates of the principal instruments 

 on hand at all times as far as possible. There is a double advantage in this, for 

 results obtained from the observation of two or more similar instruments are 

 much more reliable than those from a single one. I would therefore recommend 

 that a supply of thermometers and an extra barometer be obtained as soon as 

 possible. A wind vane is also much needed, to make us independant of the 

 records of the anemograph, which, owing to its great inertia is believed to be 

 neither sensitive nor extremely accurate. Without great expense an ordinary 

 light vane may be made self recording which would add greatly to its value. 

 As the wind is one the most interesting and important meteorological phenomena 

 of this locality it would be extremely desirable to erect a self- registering anemo- 

 meter, such, for instance, as is in use in the meteorological stations of the United 

 States Signal Service. If desired, a registering apparatus can be easily added to 

 the anemometer now in use. 



It is intended during the present year to begin a series of observations upon 

 Earth-temperatures. The temperature at and immediately below the surface of 

 the earth will be ascertained by means of thermometers and for greater depths, 

 down, perhaps, to a depth of 40 feet it is proposed to use the thermo-electric 

 method. Some preliminary experiments upon this method are now in progress 

 in the physical laboratory of the University with rcsidts that give fair promise of 

 success in its use. Early in the present year a telegraph line connecting the 

 Observatory with the physical laboratory was completed which will without doubt 

 prove to be a great convenience. One of the special considerations which led to 



