New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-31
Ntw1 lprk DAILY Gribmare
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
BLODGET'S CLIMATOLOGY.

BLODGETS CLIMATOLOGY.
CLIMArOLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES: By Loals
BLoDSET. svo PIP Sas Philsdelphis: J. B. Lippncots
tCo.
The fruits of many years devoted research aad
toll are embodied in this elaborate volume, which
forms not only one Of the most original, but ono Of
the most important works, that have yet been con.
trbuted to physical science by American writers.
Aided by an immense mass Of observations, which
have been long accommodating from authentic
sources the author has devoted himself with singu.
lar diligence to investigating the practical aspects
of American clmatolcgy, and ts bearing on the
commercial and industrial development OF the un-
occupied portions of the Continent. His volume
contains summary Of the statistics Of meteorOlo.
gicsl observation made BY intelligent men at DIFF
ferent stations, and dursg long series of years,
comprising tables Of mean and extreme tempera-
lures, of the mean annual precipitation 10 rain and
melted snow, and of the extreme quantities of raius
variety of dissertations on the leading topics Of
American climatplogy; and several coOred charts
Of great extent and beauty illustrative Of tho prin
ciples set forth in the text.
The difference between the regions on the two
sides of the Rocky Mountains, 10 q point to which
Mr. Blodget devotes great deal Of discussion, pre-
sentng views in regard to it which have heretofore
rot been made prominent and which, 40 explained
by him, challenge the attention of scientific inqui-
ers. The great features which distinguish TIE
Pacific side of the Continent are the extreme eleva-
ion Of the mountain ranges on the coast tho 70.
marksble aridity Of the atmosphere, aud tho great
range of temperature in the daLy changes. The
climate exerts braciDg influence which il IN
known in the Eastern States. This 10 true even II
the interior Valleys where the heat il excessive,
but without its usual epervatng effect. All resi-
dents concur in regarding it as more favorable b
mental and pbyseal activity than any other thsy
have known, from whatever quarter they como.
With regard to the climate of the United States
in general noticeable fact is its adaptation to the
culture Of staples Of tropical origin. The sgricui-
ture Of tho South is largely made up Of these pro-
ducts and part of the country east of the Rocky
Mountains fails to raise crops, to greater or less
extent of Indian corn, tobacco, and grapes. Tho
cause Of this adaptation Is the high curve of heat
and moisture for tho Summer, and the fact that
from one to five months the measures of heat add
rain from Quebec TO the Gulf Of Mexico arc n
tropical proportions Such is the elasticity Of ths
products in question, that they adapt Themselves 70
this variable period if the greatest degree Of heat
is attained only for few days in succession. IL
dian ripens in less than sixty days at the e.
tieth degree Of north latitude.
The vgor given to vegetation in cold climates BY
the rapid increase ofempeEature apparently a. SIN
gle phenomenon, well known, and the peculiarly Of
the climate here lie that this great stimulus throvn
prOductiveness for thu reason.
The st cultivated staple 10 value and In the direct.
ness Of its Genealogical relations is Indian corn ssxf
tobacco cotton sugarcane rice inc go and hemp;
though the last is of doubtful success here the rop
cal form, in case Of the Sisal hemp Tho common
hemp belongs to temperate latitudss, and the vsncas
suceulent fbr9u:eaved plant. ro% wn,cn tue QUE
various psrs Of the Gulf coast though nov little euk
tivated. The vin- and several fruS, belong in tie
tsme connection also; oranges olives hg. and Pone-
the most important native Of the transition zone To
these The annual vines, they are hero called nal
ems, pumpkins and others, add very decisive proof
form distinction where even the olive and orange
fail The country near Fort Sbelpg sbounds in these
deci.iveiy than any part Of the European shors
Come to perfection, and 6nd safe Winter climate.
The high brief heat which these require s certain
here at Fort Smelling and 10 Canada as at Naples and
in Syria. When the native dirIjcts Of the various spe
are 10 Irda or Africa, the growth of the melon snl
pumpkin as field crops in tho asst nshng pcofusios
they often exhibit north Of Lake Ontario and on IL
plane Of the Upper Missssipp and Missouri furnishes
striking item proof Of the contrast with Europe u
capacity to develop plants Of tropics origin.
This highly stimulating increase Of heat character
ICES all the native vegetation. and the cultivation par.
tcula,y, here, while the degree Ia high and eossssns
enoushto make the production singuarly rich. Ssgas
Is the most abundant product, and belongs % May
variable vegetable forms. The stem stalk Of In6ss
corn abeunds in Il nearly much ss that o. sugss-
cane, and II could be separated and clarified reedny
heavy growth If corn would yield nearly - much e
acanehe.d OF the same area. Stems OF grasses, -
ell gramil aceous plants chow tho same tendency sns
there is the greatest abundance Of sugar 10 meloe
and other cucu b,taceous fruits On the plains u g.
Mississippi vslley this tendency 70 development 9
saccharine matter moro striking than elsewhere o.
1t cannot fail to b. noticed in almost every veessss
cultivated 6or any nutsitve ne. IL u a. essocsese
the rich curve Of Summer development thero, g =
may be called which hes only higher degree tAsA