Scientific Serials

Abstract

American Meteorological Journal, November.—Relations of the Weather Bureau to the science and industry of the country, by Prof. W. L. Moore, Chief of the Weather Bureau. It is satisfactory to find that the change of Chief will not affect the scientific activity of the U. S. Weather Office, as many people supposed. Prof. Moore quotes the Act of Congress of October I, 1890, which prescribes the duties of the Chief, from which it is seen that the main object of the Bureau is to give warning of the approach of storms, and therefore that the proper line of investigation should be relative to their mechanism. Systematic exploration of the upper air, with a continuation of the studies of terrestrial magnetic forces, begun by Prof. Bigelow, will be the line of investigation prosecuted during the next two years. With regard to estimating the probability or severity of frost, Prof. Moore thinks that sufficient weight has not yet been given to the dryness or wetness of the soil, and he calls for special attention to this point.—The meteorological observatory on Monte Cimone, Italy, by A. L. Rotch. Monte Cimone is the culminating point of the Northern Apennines, attaining a height of 7100 feet above the sea, and it is the only summit station in Italy, the observatories of Vesuvius and Etna being both situated on the flanks of these volcanoes. Both the summit and base stations are provided with self-recording instruments, and are dependent upon the Central Meteorological Office at Rome, with which there is telegraphic communication.—Physiological effects of high altitudes, by A. L. Rotch. The author points out the importance of the effect of the rarefaction of the air on the human system, which is, as yet, but imperfectly understood, and refers to his own experiences at great heights in the Alps and Andes.