The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-31


HERALD. Sefior Perez and Sehor Davis. native of
Mexico. but of English parentage. took me in hand
and devoted many hours to explaining the system or
observations adopted by the observatory In all its
details.
found the meteorological department equipped
with the finest INSTRUMENTS of their kind. Standing
on pedestal IN the centre OF the principal apartment
late Father Secch and the last one issued under his
authority before the world of science lost his services
by death. The meteorograph OF Mexico, therefore.
Possesses interest and value apart from its excel
lence which scientific men will know how to appre-
sars the Is MAXIM Of the arpphc
aud is fitted with electric apparatus TOR the purpose
The Secchi meteorograph records continuously the
height Of the barometer. the range of the thermon
eter, wind direction and force-in q word all the
meteorological conditions that can be recorded by
perfect meteorograph. The clock attached is regu-
lated by an electric attachment to the observatory of
Chapultepec. where the astronomical apparatus ia
placed Besides this splendid instrument there are
all the ordinary ones for determining the prevailing
atmospheric conditions. such relative humid
ity, temperature. maximum. minimum and
All these observations published daily
IN bulletin of the observatory. issued
Works and possess no ordinary value to the meteor
illogical science of the world Besides these there
special observations made in connection with the
international meteorological system at the same
physical moment those taken ut the Signal Service
Office in Washington-namely. thirty-fve minutes
been adopted by all the nations cooperating in tho
international system. These synchronous observa-
tons enable meteoroloests to chart the conditions Of
the atmosphere and mark the progress OF changes,
storms, &c. The Importance OF the Mexican obser-
vations is very great. because they fill blank in a
region where the conditions peculiar, owing
to the influences OF latitude and Topography.
Regarding these l only express the warmest
admiration for the skill and industry exhibited by
Seniors Barcena. Reyes. Perez aud Davis, aud the
several local observers who make observations
the Central Observatory at Aguascalientcs Cordoba
Cuernavaca, Guadalajara. Guanajuato, Jalapa lagos
Leon. Morelia, Oaxaca Orizsba Pabellon, Patzctsro
Puebla Queretaro. San Juan del Rio, San Luis Potos
silao. Tlacotslpam. Toluca. Vera Cruz. Zacatecas
San Juan Michapam. Apizaco. Chapultepec and Tacu-
baya
ut the Colegio Preparatoro, two at Pueblo. at the
Colegio del Estada and the Colegio del Corazon de
Jesus respectively. and two at Zacatecas. one of
Nacional, at Chapultepec is an important meteoro.
logical station near the City Of Mexico, and is the
headquarters of the astronomers of the Republic.
being under the direction of Francisco Jimcnex and
Angel Anguano. two very eminent aud accomplished
gentlemen.
really interesting feature of the daily bulletin of
the Minister of the Interior is the botanical calendar
of the Valley Of Mexico in which is given % ciassi-
cation of the fora Of that fertile plain. This
ranged to give the families common and scien-
tine names and aoral periods OF each plant with
those or the places where they observed and a
distinction is made between cultivated and natural
growths Thus, for instance. find, under the fam
lily head of Orchtddcsd, the cultivated plant COM
a,nsy ~ % th 3d.. ana selentncay
had attained its maximum development and was OBJ
served in the garden of San Francisco, Mexico. As
rule about eighty varieties of plants observed
from day to day. and the records cannot fail to 90
highly important to botanists. Furthermore, elab-
observations made the variations of ter
restisl magnetism and seismic conditions with the
most perfect Instruments obtainable.
TEE NATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY.
This institution desorvedly ranks very highly in
the estimation OF scientific men, The instruments
ore in position in the ancient Castle OF Chapucpec
Mexico, and on the site of what was the summer
palace ot Moctczulna My visit to Chapultepec with
Seniors Perez and Davis OF the Central meteorological
Observatory, and Senior Garcia Cubas, the well known
geographer and scientist, highly enjoyable.
Starting out from the city in the cool OF the morn
ing reached the castle by street car
route. The scenery is exquisite being mainly com
posed of wood and cultivated plain. The famous
aqueducts OF Mexico converge toward Chapultepec,
near where they receive their flow of pure for
tho thirsty thousands OF the capital. Around the
base OF the volcanic hill which the castle stands
less than twelve feet in diameter and
are considerably than q hundred feet
high From their gnarlcd and twisted trunks spring
enormous branches covered with rich green fronds.
not unlike broom in appearance. The tree bears the
Indian name of Ahuehuctl. in Spanish Sabine, and
among botanists Farodiuns Ncricanuns. They
present very imposing but sombre appearance
being covered with heavy fesoons of parasitic moss
Literally translated. the Indian or Aztec of the
tree is "old water'-huehss meaning old and Az
~ ~ Immense ago. We waIIeu' and must be
these Grand old trees for more than an hoipe OK
then mounted the slope of the hill until we reached
<a.c noo,ys anaV 7te thee "A Sllendid iEan
into the Immediate grounds of the castle. Handsome
bronzes surmount the gate piers. brought to Mexico
by ''The Man OF Qucretaro." The Hapsburg Is gone.
Int the bronzes remain The castle was intended by
Macmillan to be splendid palace. Indeed tho
plans Of the proposed improvements show that no
luxury which money could purchase was to be miss
inp Courtyurds gardens, fountains, terraces, ban
o,iet halls and throne rooms-all these were planned
but never executed. But much WAS done OF pre-
paratory character to show the scale on which the
whole WAS to be finished. fine marble staircase
leads up the plateau to the floor proper of the
CASTLE This Is being finished now. and Is very
beautiful in its material and detail. The
rooms arc chiefly devoted to the purposes
of astronomy and meteorology. No better site
could be selected for such purpose than that OF the
Castle of Chapultepec which was ut one time the Mill
try School Mexico and the scene OF one OF the most
desperate engagements of the Mexican war. noticed
among the pencilhngs on the interior of the turret
walls the names Of many students who once learned
the art Of war in this place. Were they among the
fallen braves who vanly tried to defend the castle
against the soldiers OF Scott or of later brood OF
edgling warriors? In the language OF the country
can only say Quien sdbey Inspecting tho astro-
noinical Instruments, under the guidance OF Senior
Anguiano, occupied an hour most prohtabiy. 1
saw sun spots and other marvels through the big
telescope lighted my cigarette in the concentrated
rays of the god Of day. and talked star altitude. mag
ntudc right ascension and transit under the metal
dome of the special observation chamber until
tain sensation in my interior warned me that the
hour for breakfast was near ut hand. Thcn, after
hurried walk through this house OF many chambers.
visit to the grotto where the name OF Humboldt is
to be seen among those OF less distinguished visi
tors a visit to the famous baths completed my too
brief stay 1T Chapultepec.