Climatic Observations. 
CLIMATIC OBSERVATIONS. 
BY J. TREMPER. 
Climate is various in its course, depending upon its northerly 
or southerly position; also upon its easterly or westerly, and some- 
times upon local circumstances in reference to its peculiar chan- 
ges. The climates of the Upper Alps, of the Chimborazo and the 
Himaleh, is as different from the climates of the plains from which 
they emerge, as is the climate of the Arctic Circle from that of 
the Torrid Zone. By a singular law of nature, as w'e ascend 
above the general level of the earth, we gradually find a decrease 
of temperature: although we should make the experiment at the 
Equator, by ascending a few thousands of feet, we should find a 
temperature of Arctic rigor above the burning plains of the Tor- 
rid Zone. The line of perpetual congelation gradually ascends 
in altitude as it extends to the north. The western continent of 
Europe, under certain latitudes, exhibits a temperature some 10° 
or 12° higher than a corresponding latitude upon the eastern con- 
tinent of America. Peculiar circumstances very much modify 
climates; very large collections of water prevent extreme depres- 
sion in the temperature, while large mountains have a contrary 
effect. In the vicinity of the Lakes we do not find the variations 
of temperature so great as in those parts remote from them. From 
a meteorological register which I have kept upon the Seneca 
Lake, at a point in latitude 42° 45' N., I have found the mean 
annual temperature to be 48 44-100°; the lowest temperature 3° 
below zero, and the highest 96° above. The great depth of the 
water of the lake prevents its freezing in the winter season and 
thus has a tendency measurably to equalize the temperature of the 
surrounding atmosphere, and prevent such great extremes as even 
take place in a lower latitude. Fortunately for our comfort dur- 
ing very low temperatures the atmosphere is calm, and we expe- 
rience much less inconvenience than when we have a wind ac- 
companied with a higher temperature. At the same place, the 
mean temperature for the spring months is 46 91-100°. The 
lowest, during the same period, 0°; the highest 88°; exhibiting 
a greater alternation of heat and cold than either of the other sea- 
sons. The mean temperature for summer is 68 56-100°; the 
lowest 40°; the highest 96°; exhibiting the least variation of 
the different seasons of the year. The mean temperature for au- 
tumn is 50 22-100°; the lowest temperature 6°; the highest 93°. 
The next greatest alternation of temperature is during this sea- 
son: The mean temperature for winter is 28 55-100°; the low- 
est 3°, and the highest 66°. 
