and the Distribution of Heat over the Globe. 51 
coasts, and perhaps even in continents of small extent, the inte- 
rior heat of the earth is modified by the proximity of the strata 
of rocks on which the waters of the ocean rest. 
I have considered successively in this memoir, the distribution 
of heat, 
1 . At the surface of the globe. 
it. On the declivity of mountains. 
3. In the ocean. 
4. In the interior of the earth. 
In explaining the theory of isothermal lines and their in- 
flexions, which determine the different systems of climates, I 
have endeavoured to reduce the phenomena of temperature to 
empirical laws. These laws will appear much more simple, 
when we shall have multiplied and rectified by degrees the nu- 
merical elements which are the results of observation. 
In the following general Table of the distribution of heat, 
the temperatures are expressed in degrees of Fahrenheit ; the 
longitudes are reckoned from east to west of the meridian 
of the observatory of Greenwich. The mean temperatures of 
the seasons have been calculated, so that those of the months of 
December , January , and February , form the mean temperature 
of Winter . An asterisk (*) is prefixed to those places whose 
mean temperatures have been most accurately determined, and 
in general by means of 8000 observations. The isothermal 
lines have a convex summit in Europe, and two concave sum- 
mits in Asia and Eastern America 
