The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-28
High Temperature.

| TO the Editors of the National Intelligencer:
The extraordinary temperatures OF the last three
days are worthy of note as being probably quite
| the highest known to this climate. On Monday
| the thermometer in the Smithsonian Observatory
| marked 50 deg. at 9 a. m; at p. m ,92 deg. 5.
Tuesday morning "a deg; afternoon 90 deg.
Wednesday at a. m SO deg. s. and at p. m,
SO deg, rising to 81 deg. at 81 p. The nstru-
ment is fully guarded from reflected heat, and in
draught of free air. These temperatures come
very nearly up to the indications of the thermome-
ter in the SUMS rays. On Monday the Gun thermo.
meter marked Sc deg, Tuesday IS deg and
Wednesday 95 deg. 5. Many notices given of
much higher temperatures in Gun and shade, but
the thermometer in such cases is placed next a
heated wall, exposed to reflected heat from some
source. Sun temperature should be taken by expos
ing the bulb only, Withdrawing it from its case,
and holding suspending it full in the SUMS rays
The air has been unusually elastic, however, for
such excessive heat, and consequently less oppres
sive than might have been expected The evapo-
rating thermometer has marked deg. less at
morning, and IL deg, IL deg. 5, and ID deg. less
at O'Clock than the dry thermometer, giving 60,
&c. and 81 hundredths the ratio of saturation at
O'clock which is too low point for showers to
form.
Greater in respect reflected heat is very de-
sirable with those who mark both sun and air tenn
peratures in the cities. Many of those now pub
lished are grossly in excess. The great interest
and value which careful comparative observations
in the principal cities would have in these periods
OF excessive heat warrant asking some attention to
1t. The degree of saturation too, az indicated by
the difference between the wet and dry bulb Their
mometer, is most important sanitary indication.
Cholera and the violent epidemics of the summer
attend high temperatures with a saturated atmo
sphere, and need not be dreaded when either condi-
ton is wanting.
The temperatures here noted are believed to be
as high any ever recorded under the proper
conditions, in this part of the United States, and
the difference of one and half degrees only between
the Gums rays and the air is almost without para
lei. 1t is fortunate that the ratio of humidity has
been so low. b.
WEDNESDAY,, June %, 1858.
SELF-wAITING DINING TABLEs.-By Lea Persey,
of Patterson, Pennsylvania, claim d self waiting
table constructed and arranged as described, viz:
having endless band situated beneath the table
and kept in constant motion during meals. by any
power applied through the crank or other means,
to which band is firmly attached at convenient
distances apart, guiding carriers &C., which pass
up through, and are supported by small railway
trucks, &c, and move in guiding apertures in the
top OF the table, and upon the tops of which are
placed walters, wherein dishes are put and con-
stantly conveyed around before the guests on both
sides of the table, in combination with the said
endless band conveyers. also claim additional
shelf or second table, over the central portion of
the table, above the walters, for the purpose of
holding casters, Sc, which do not require to be
frequently moved or replaced. as set forth.
[Scientifc american