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394 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. [July has shown that the magnetic force is scarce- ly constant from one moment to another, that the needle is almost incessantly in motion, that it is affected by the position of the sun and moon, and by perturbations, connected with meteorological phenomena, of a most extraordinary character. In regard to meteorology, this system furnished reliable data for the great movements of the atmosphere, and the changes in its thermal and hygrometric condition. But, to obtain a more minute knowledge of the special climatology of different countries, it is necessary that a series of observations, at a great many places, should be continued through a number of years, and at stated periods of the day—not as frequent as those of the observations we have mentioned, but embracing as many elements, and even adding to these, as new facts may be developed, or new views entertained. In many countries, accordingly, provision has been made, by their respective governments, for continued though local systems of this kind. The government of Prussia appears to have taken the lead in this important labor, and its example has been followed by those of Great Britain, Russia, Austria, Bavaria, Belgium, Holland and France. In these countries, regular and' continuous observations are made, with reliable instruments, on well-digested plans. Though the government of the United States took no part with the other nations of the earth, in the great system before descri- bed, yet it has established and supported for a number of years a partial system of observation at the different military posts of the army. Among other duties assigned to the surgeons, at the suggestion of Surgeon General Lovell, was that cf keeping a diary of the weather, and of the diseases preva- lent in their vicinity. The earliest register received, under this regulation, was in Jan- uary, 1819. The only instruments at first used were a thermometer and wind-vane, to "which, in 1836, a rain-gauge was added. The observations were made at 7 A. M. and 9 P. M., and the winds and weather were observed morning, noon and evening It is to be regretted that, in 1841, the variable hour of sunrise was substituted for that of 7 A. M., since Ihe latter admits of an hourly correction which cannot be applied to the former, except at the expense of too great an amount of labor. At the commencement of 1843, an exten- sion of the system was made, by the introduction of new instruments, and an additional observation to the number which had previously been recorded, each day, and hourly observations for twenty-four hours were directed to be taken at the equinoxes and solstices. During the past year, a quarto volume has been published, which contains the results of the observations of the thermometer, direction and force of winds, clearness of sky, and fall of rain and snow, during a period of twelve years, from the first of January, 1843, to January, 1855, arranged in month- ly tables and annual summaries. To these are added consolidated tables of temperature and rain, for each separate station, comprising the results of all the thermometric observations made by medical officers since 1822, and of all measurements of rain and snow, since the introduction of the raingauge, in 1836. The tabular part of this volume contains the most important results of the observations of the Army system of registration, and will be considered the most valuable contribution yet made toward a knowledge of the climatology of the United States. Truth, however, will not permit us to express the same opinion in reference to the isothermal charts which accompany this volume. These we consider as premature publications, constructed from insufficient data, and on a prin- ciple of projection by which it is not possible to represent correctly the relative tem- peratures in mountainous regions. With the learning and zeal for science possessed by the officers of the United States Army, and the importance which they attach to meteorology, in its connection with engineering and topography, it is hoped that this system may be farther extended and improved, that each station may be supplied with a compared thermometer and psychrometer, and that, at a few stations, a series of hourly observations may be established, for at least a single year. The present Secre- tary of War, we are assured, would willingly sanction any proposition for the improvement of this system, and we doubt not the Surgeon General is desirous of rendering it as perfect as the means at his disposal will permit. A local system of meteorological observations was established in the State of New York, in 1825, and has been uninterruptedly
1859.] THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 395 continued from that^iine until the present. Each of the academies, which participated in the literature fund of the State, was furnished with a thermometer and rain-gauge, and directed to make three daily observations relative to the temperature, the direction of the wind, cloudiness, &c. The system was remodelled, in 1850, so as to conform to the directions of the Smithsonian Institution, and a considerable number of the academies were furnished with full sets of compared instruments, consisting of a barometer, thermometer, psychrometer, raingauge and wind-vane. A summary of the results of the observations from 1826 to 1850, inclusive, has just been published by the State of New York, under the direction of the Regents of the University. They are presented in the form of a quarto volume, to which is prefixed a map of the State, showing the direction of the wind, and the position of each station. This volume, the computations for which were made by Dr. Franklin B. Hough, is also a. valuable contribution te meteorology, and does much credit to the intelligence and perseverance of those who introduced and have advocated the continuance of this system, and to the liberality of the State which has so long and so generously supported it. 5JC J|( 2B 3fC A system of meteorological observations was established by the Smithsonian Institution, in 1849, the principal object of which was to study the storms that visit the United States, particularly during the winter months. This system, which has been continued up to the present time, was afterwards extended, with a view to collect the statistics necessary to ascertain the character of the climate of North America, to determine the average temperature of various portions of the country, and the variations from this at different periods of the year. It was intended to re- duce, as far as possible, to one general plan, the several systems of observations which had previously been established, and to induce others to engage in the same enter- prise. But it was, in the first place, desirable, in order that the results might be comparable with those obtained in other countries, that the instruments should be more accurate than those which might be requisite for the mere determination of the phenomena of storms. The institution, there- fore, procured standard barometers and thermometers from London and Paris, and, with the aid of Professor Guyot, a distinguished meteorologist, copies of these were made, with improvements, by Mr. Jan.cs Green, a scientific artist of New York. A large number of these instruments have been constructed and sold to observers. Full sets have been furnished by the Institution to parties in important positions, and, in some cases, half the cost has been paid at the expense of the Smithsonian fund. A growing taste having been manifestly created for the study of practical meteorology, directions for observations, and a volume of tables for their reduction, have been prepared, and widely circulated at the expense of the Institution. It has also dis- tributed blanks to all the observers of the different systems alluded to, except those of the Army, and has received, in turn, copies of all the observations which have been made. It has, in this way, accumulated a large amount of valuable material, relative to the climate of this country, and to the character of the storms to which it is subjected. The completeness and accuracy of the observations have also increased from year to year j and, by an arrangement which the Institution has now made with the Pat- ent Office, it is hoped that the system will be extended, and its character improved. It being manifest, from the foregoing statements, and from other evidences, that much interest is awakened in this country on the subject of meteorology, it is hoped that the means may be afforded for reducing and publishing the materials which have been and shall be accumulated, and that important results to agriculture, as well as to other arts, may be hence deduced. Abridgedfrom Patent Office Report, 1855. Hair of Children. It is a great mistake to plait the hair of children under eleven or twelve years of age. The process of plaiting more or less strains the hairs in their roots by pulling them tight; tends to deprive them of their requisite sup- ply of nutriment, and checks their growth. The hair of girls should be cut rather short, and allowed to curl freely. When they are about eleven or twelve, the hair should be twisted into a coil not too tight, nor tied at the end with thin thread but with a piece of ribbon.
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SOUTHERN PLANTER.—ADVERTISING SHE
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