50 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface, that the higher 

 currents of the atmosphere, while moving commonly with the 

 highest pressures, in a general way, on the right of their 

 course, yet manifest a distinct centrifugal tendency over the 

 areas of low pressure, and a centripetal over those of high. 



The rapidity of the upper currents, on an average, Mr. Ley 

 states to be about twice as great as that of those at the sur- 

 face of the earth, since the latter rarely attain velocity great- 

 er than sixty to seventy miles per hour. The more distant 

 clouds not uncommonly have a much greater velocity. The 

 observations of the United States Signal Service furnish cor- 

 roborative evidence in regard to this matter, since the veloc- 

 ities at the top of Mount Washington have repeatedly equal- 

 ed the maximum mentioned, as recorded by an accurate ane- 

 mometer. Ley's Laws of the Wi?ids, pt. i., 1872. 



CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF DIFFERENT REGIONS. 



In a paper by Dr. Friedmann on the climatic peculiarities 

 of the eastern coast of Asia, he states that when passing 

 around the world from east to west the following climatolog- 

 ical conditions will be found to present themselves in suc- 

 cession. First, on the east coast of Asia we have a decided 

 continental climate cold winter, warm summer, considera- 

 ble difference between the temperature of day and night, and 

 between the coldest and warmest months the whole, how- 

 ever, tempered by the influence of the east wind. Second, in 

 the interior of Asia we have the highest expression of a con- 

 tinental climate very hot summers, with extreme cold in 

 winter, the lowest winter temperature on the globe being in 

 latitude of about 62 degrees. We have, then, a gradual equal- 

 ization of this continental feature as we pass to the west, un- 

 til we reach number three of his division, in Western Europe. 

 Here the climate is purely maritime mild winters, moderate 

 summers, and but little difference between day and night, 

 winter and summer. Fourth, the eastern coast of America 

 cold winters and hot summers characterize the climate; 

 the southwest wind is cool, and extends over the continent. 

 Fifth, the central portion of America similar to the central 

 portion of Asia, although with less extremes of heat and cold. 

 Sixth, the west coast of America climate maritime, similar 

 to that of Western Europe, in consequence of the warm re- 



