On the Use of the Barometer on Surveys and Reconnaissances: Being a Compendium, Without Plates, of No. 15 of the Professional Papers of the Corps of Engineers (Classic Reprint)

Master the science of measuring altitude with the barometer. This practical, history‑steeped guide shows how engineers and surveyors use the mercurial barometer to determine differences in height with reliable methods.

The book explains why the cistern barometer is preferred for hypsometry, how to read and reduce barometric data to a common temperature, and how to separate regular hourly fluctuations from longer‑term changes. It also compares barometric methods with thermometer readings and discusses how to handle data from different hours, days, and stations to improve accuracy in diverse climates and altitudes.

What you’ll learn or experience

• How to correct barometer readings for hourly (horary) and longer‑term oscillations.
• How temperature affects barometric measurements and how to compensate for it.
• Strategies for combining multiple readings to estimate differences in altitude accurately.
• Practical examples and considerations from field work and historical surveys.

Ideal for readers of historical engineering methods, surveying professionals, and anyone curious about early methods of mountain measurements and atmospheric study.