Alcohol-in-glass, Rutherford-type thermometer. Its silvered brass plate is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -90 to +110. The stem has similar graduations.
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
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