Polynesian., 1852-03-27

u "A Vu n IL " III % i
The government of the United States, has its
own system OF meteorological observations: one
for the sea, another for the land.
Some of the States, as New York and Massa-
chusetts, have, on their own account, established
their system of meteorological observations also.
Also, some of the Institutions of the country, as
the "Smithsonian," and many of our fellow-ctizens
are likewise actively engaged in meteorological re-
searches.
The meteorological observatories that are under
the control of the different States of the institu-
tons, and OF the private citizens of the United
States, amount to several hundred. These extend
from the shores of the Atlantic to those of the Pa
cifc, and from the farthest northern boundary to
the extreme southern limits of the United States
Over these widely scattered observatories, and
over this large corps Of observers, their time for
observation, their mode and means of observing,
and their methods of recording the results of their
labors, the government of the United States has no
control whatever; nor can it exercise any, except
such as may flow from precept and example.
Nevertheless, these observatories, both national,
state and private, for the most part act in concert
They mostly employ the same instruments, refer to
the same standards many of them observe ut the
same hours, use the same methods, and record by
the same forms, most of which differ more or less
from those recommended by Major General Sir
of the Royal Engineers"
do not mean to draw comparisons, or to imply
that of the American and English systems, one is
better than the other far from it. Each is good );
and II either be adopted, and made common to the
two countries, the science of meteorology would be
vastly benefited and advanced thereby.
Ii the government of the United States, there
system, were to direct its officers, who are engaged
with meteorological observations, to adopt the pan
modes and methods of that system, it would create
confusion among our obsevatories, and be as like
ly to retard as to advance the progress of meteor
illogical research in the United States
For this reason beg leave to suggest meteor
illogical conference.
By authority of the government, have been per-
mtted to invite the cooperation of American ship
masters in making daily, in all parts of the ocean,
as they pursue their voyages to and fro, series of
meteorological observations.
BY an act of Congress, authority has been given
for all the vessels of the Navy to do the same.
The object of this cooperation is not only to inn
prove, for the benefit of commerce and navigation,
our knowledge with regard to the winds and cur
rents OF the sea, but to investigate the laws of at
mospherical and oceanic circulation, and to ad-
vance the science of fmeteorology generally.
Under this invitation, more than a thousand
American merchant vessels are engaged in making
and recording their observations according to a
prescribed form. At the end of the voyage their
journals are regularly returned to this office.
They constitute the materials from which the
" wind and current charts are constructed These
charts, on account of the meteorological infoma-
tion they afford, have led to the developments of
new and shorter routes the seas, and to
raj other results of interest and value beg leave
to send a set of them, the explanations which ac-
company them, &c., for the inspection of Her
Majesty's officers.
About fve-sevenths of our planet is covered with
water
1t will be perceived, therefore, that in studying
the course of the wind in his circuits" and inves
tigating the laws which govern the general circu-
lation OF the atmosphere, we must look to the sea
for the rule-to the land for the exceptions There
fore, general system of meteorological observa-
tons can be- considered complete unless it embrace
the sea well as the land.
The value of the researches conducted at this
Office with regard to the meteorology of the sea,
would be greatly enhanced by cooperation from
the observatories on the land.
Observers with the requisite instruments for this
purpose, already at the principle stations tits
as convenient for them to observe in as without,
concert; for to observe in concert, and according
to uniform plan, would be attended neither by an
increase of time, labor expense; but the con-
trary, be a saving of all.
Hence, another reason for suggesting a confe
renee upon the subject of uniform system of me-
teorological observations on board British and
American ships, as well as at British and Ameri- |
can posts, stations and observatories. On board of
every properly appointed ship of both nations, ALL
or nearly ALL the observations which would proba-
bly, be recommended for this universal system, are
already made. 1t is the custom to keep log-book
on board of every ship, and to enter in that log
book remarks and observations upon the winds, the
weather, and the sea and all that is requisite to
impart new and greater value to these obseva-
tons, is that they should be made all at the same
time, recorded in a stated journal-the " abstract
log" kept for the purpose-and then be made
available by being returned to the office appointed
to receive them.
The atmosphere envelopes the earth, and all ma
tons equally interested in the investigations Of
those laws by which it is governed. There is Rus
sia, upon whose territories the sun, except in the
long night of the Polar winter never sets, perhaps
she of all natons has gone to the greatest expense
in establishing meteorological observatores on the
land, in collecting and publishing results, &c.
From what has already passed between Kupfer,
mines, and myself upon the subject | am induced
to believe that he is already authorized, by the
proper authorities in that country, to confer with
the proper authorities in this, as to the establish
ment of uniform system of meteorological obser-
vations on the land, for the two countries.
The achievements Of France and Germany, in
The paths of science, and the monuments they have
erected in its name, do not admit us to doubt but
that they, too, would readily and most heartily Sc
cond any move which has for its object the great
good of establishing, among civilized nations
throughout the world, uniform and universal sys-
tenn Of meteorological observations.
There are other nations Of Europe not whit be-
hind Germany and France in their devotion to sci-
ence, their love Of the useful.