62 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. FEBRUARY, 1907
fact, the meteorological observatories thruout Italy are not
strictly a part of the meteorological service. There is a mete-
orological observatory in the building of the Collegio Romano,
where the central bureau is located, but the observatory is
merely a part of the astronomical Observatory of the Collegio
Romano, and has a director who is a professor in the institu-
tion. There is also a meteorological observatory on the Capi-
toline Hill, which is, I understand, maintained by the munici-
pality of Rome. Observatories similar to these are scattered
thruout Italy, and report their observations to the central
bureau thru an arrangement with either their institution or
municipality.
I n the forecast room a general working chart ancl supple-
mentary temperature ancl pressure charts are used, as well as
a chart showing the general conditions of the previous even-
ing. The telegraphic reports are not received completely until
about noon, and the forecasts are issued about 2 p. m. for all
Italy, for the ensuing twenty-four hours. The printed daily
publications embrace tabulated bulletins aucl weather maps
quite similar to those issued in other European meteorological
offices. The subscription price in Italy is 16 francs per year.
There seemed to be nothing special to note in connection
with the instrumental equipment of the meteorological ob-
servatory visited. The recording hair hygrometer was found
in use here also, but Doctor Pnlazzo said i t was not giving
satisfaction, contrary to the opinion received in other places.
The wet and dry-bulb thermoiiieters in the shelter were located
on the roof on a stationary standard, but a fan mas placed near
the bulbs so that when a spring mas wound up the air was set
in motion, the effect being quite siiiiilar to that secured by
our whirling apparatus. There is a large number of small
stations in Italy where research work is being done, and special
attention is now being given to the meteorological conditions
in the tobacco fields. One of the divisions of the central
bureau, directly under Professor Morti, has charge of the ob-
servations of earthquakes.
I had been informed by many during my visit that the
winter was the coldest experienced during the past tn-enty-
five years, and I was interested to learn what a comparison
with the actual record would show; but I was not surprised
to learn froin Doctor Palazzo that the winter was very nearly
normal. I have frequently been imprest, in my own experience,
with the fact that people forget easily about the past, especially
when weather is concerned, and I was rather interested in
fincling the same conditions obtaining abroad.
My trip from Naples to Mount Vesuvius on January 14 was
made partly with the hope of visiting the observatory after
.my descent from the crater. but as I reached the funicular
railway station, near which the observatory is located, I found
my train, the last of the day, was about to start on the return
trip, and I had but a passing gliinpse of a Robinson anemome-
ter and a thermometer shelter on the outside of this far-famed
Observatory.
I n my traveling aouthwarcl thru Italy I was much imprest
with the increasing barometric pressure, and during m y stay
at Naples the barometer was uniformly a t 30.5 inches. Sail-
ing from that port on January 16 westward to Gibraltar there
was practically no change in the reading of the barometer,
and the weather continued much the same as in Italy. After
passing by the " big rock " out into the Atlantic, bound for
New Pork, I naturally expected the ship to turn in the direc-
tion of the port of destination. The course, however, lay to
the south of west until the parallel of 36" was reached a t 22'
west longitude, passing about 300 miles south ot the Azores.
The course was thence directly west along this parallel as far
as 60" west longitude, when i t was changed to the northwest
toward New York. This is the regular coiirse of the Mediter-
ranean fleet, and illasters are required by the regulations of
their companies to follow i t during the winter Beason, as i t lies
along the permanent "high" where storins are infrequent. In
fact the winds were light and gentle during the greater part
of this trip across the ocean, and the weather wm quite sum-
merlike, iin til the course turned to the northwestward across
the Gulf Stream. This was in strong contrast with the stormy
weather esperienced on the northern route on my voyage east-
ward. During the summer season, however, when storms are
infrequent, the sailing course of these vessels froni Gibraltar
is nearly in a direct line passing north of the Azores. New
York was reached on January 31, 1907.
A BENEFICENT SCIENTIFIC MISSION.
The Syrian Protestant College a t Beirut was founded in
1x63 and opened in lSGti, thru the efforts of North American
Presbyterian missions. Complete qourses are given in com-
merce, niedicine, ancl l>iblical archn-,ology. Formerly the
Arabic language was used, lint now English is used, and
many Beirut students have wandered orer to the United
States. Among the faculty are Rev. George E. Post, of New
Tork, the professor of surgery; Dr. A. E. Day, of natural
sciences, ant1 Robert H. West, of matheiliatics and astronomy.
The Lee Observatory was founded in the year 1871 for
special astronomical studies. The meteorological record
began in June, 1874. The record is maintained by the stu-
dents and assistants, of which there is a large number, under
the especial oversight of the director. The officials responsible
for this series are therefore as follows: lX74-1HS2, Rev. C. V. A.
Van Dyck; lSS3-ls84, Dr. Jaris Ninie; 1SR4-1899, Prof. Rob-
ert H. West; lS99 to date, Raymond 8. Dugan. The observa-
tory is on a high, rocky ridge that extends toward the north
and northwest, above the sea. It is in latitude 33" S i ' 20" N.,
and longitude 3.5" 35' 10" E. The cistern of the barometer is
at present 35 meters above sea level. This series of observa-
tions, now continued for over thirty years, is the longest and
most important in any portion of tlie Turkish dominion. From
the beginning observations have been macle three times a day,
originally a t 9 a. in., 3 and 9 p. m., but now at 8::M a. m., 2:30
and S:30 1). ~n . Since February, lS94, a Richard barograph
has been in operation, and from some earlier date a Richard
thermograph also. The observations hare been published
quite regularly in the annual volume of the Central Institute
of Austria. The data for Beirut and Jerusalem afiorcl almost
the only basis we have for a statistical study of the climate of
Palestine, and i t is proper to say that we still need additional
observatories in that region, especially a station on the summit
of Mount Cannel, mhicli is only 1400 feet above sen level
(latitude 32' 51' N., longitude 34" 58' E.), ant1 is easily made
h abitable.
May we not hope that all medical nud educational missiom
will do as ~iincli for science as is anyway practicable. Espe-
cially may a11 missions imitate the example of the Jesuits in
the Philippine Islands, where a great system for the study of
climatology ancl for forecasting storms has been established by
them. Such general applications of science contribute to the
material progress ani1 welfare, and hence to the intellectual ancl
religious development of a nation, quite as much as any other
form of actirity. I n iiloclern times the first departure froni a
purely theological or religions mission was the establishment
of medical inissions, of which we have notable examples in the
work of Dr. Peter Parker, at Canton, and George E. Post, at
Beirut. Whatever missions can do for the intellectual and
physical welfare of tlie nations is a truly noble work, and we
must look upon a- well organized weather bureau as most
Ibeneficent in all its relations to the people.
INTERCONVERSION OF CENTIGRADE AND
FAHRENHEIT DEGREES.
As many Aiiiericau and Euglisli meteorologists find di&-
ciilty in thinking in the centigrade system, we call attention to