The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-06-05
SURGEON GENERALS OFFICE,
Washington, December 6, 1912.

The above "Circular'' was sent last winter to
ny hundred persons in various parts Of the world
and | have now MAY %, l643) the pleasure Of in
forming the % friends of science" that than if
ty observers, who note the barometer, and than
sixty Others who have barometers, have com
menced sending in their journals. From the certain
~ of success, II is hoped that Others who feel
disposed TO and IN this great undertaking, will CON-
mence their observations Immediately
IL is my duty to collate all the journals and report
annually =" to the Secretary of War" A copy of
these reports shall be sent to each OF my
! hfehr. ''"'''' - -
More observers are much wanted, especially along
The Allegheny mountains, both sides in the north
ern parts OF Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine /;
~ The lar West" Northwest and North and in
the ocean between this and Europe
take this opportunity of requesting all my CORES
pondens TO visit the path Of any tornado within their
reach, and let me know the following particulars
The i1idh and direction Of the path-the direction in
which the trees are thrown down on the ftro sd,,
and also in the middle whether the trees are thrown
inwards equally on both Sides or more backwards on
one side than the other II any are thrown across
each other, mention on which side of the paih and
The direction in which both the uppr and under trees
are lying whether the line TO which the trees con.
verge on both sides, if they do converge, is in the
centre oil the path, or nsner one side than the
other.
These questions apply only TO a tornado where il
passes through forest Of equal density on both sides
OF the path for elsewhere both borders will not be
well defined.
In case any one has a salt-marsh or prairie which
ne wishes TO burn, or large mass Of timber from
clearing OF land, preserve these oombusubles till the
ume oil drought, If one should occur then choose
sFerS calm and clear day. and at about eight O'Clock
10 The m lrnlng take iumbler of cold water in the
open slr IN the shade, and with a thermometer find
The hghef temperature Of the water when IL il inst
cold enough TO the moisture In the air 10 con-
dense on the lumber This highest temperature is
called The dewpont II this should not be more than
degrees or degrees the less the betler) below the
temperature OF the air, every thing is then fayoi able
at the surface OF the earth for the production Of rain
Set re to your combustbles at many places in the cir
cumicrence at once. Immediately an up-moyinv col
umn OF or will be produced and IL il is not bent out Of
perpendicular motion, by upper current of air il
VIII begin 10 form clouds when its top reaches a.
many hundred yards high as the dew-point IS below
the temperature OF the air in degrees Of Fahrenheit
oafoh The subsequent phenomena, and describe D,p 10
me. ''' "
II IT rains, II will not extend much 10 the pes, /
but II probable that will widen out from the placs
OF beginning, and become a general rain 10 Inc |
east ~ =" ''e
II II should not RAIN IL will be prevented bv one
OF two causes an upper current Of air sweepng The
up moving column out Of the perpendicular. or an
upper SRA up too warm and light 10 let the u,moying
column swim in 1t. e
Oiher instructions will be given, if requested he
fore the middle Of July
JAMES P. EsPY.
II Is the form prepared under the direction NJ
ho surgeon General Tor the Military posts