^0 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



Bulletin International, issued daily at Paris, has, by extend- 

 ing the area of our observation, shown that these " waves" 

 are simply circular or elliptical areas of high barometric 

 pressure, around which the winds circulate in accordance 

 with well-known laws. The great extent of our own coun- 

 try has of course given the signal-office superior advantages 

 for studying the motions of these areas and the weather ac- 

 companying them. On a recent occasion a very extensive 

 one moved over the country from Kansas to the Blue Ridge, 

 and, being attended by very cold winds, was quite generally 

 remarked upon, although differing in extent only from those 

 that have been chronicled by the signal-office almost daily 

 during the past two years. This " high area" (for so they 

 are succinctly denominated in the daily weather reports) 

 was accompanied, as usual, by " low areas," or " storm cen- 

 tres," which simultaneously passed rapidly eastward over 

 the northern portions of the country, and the idea has been 

 entertained by some that possibly the presence of the for- 

 mer may help to the earlier prediction of the latter. This 

 hope has not yet been realized, nor does there seem any rea- 

 sonable probability that we shall live to see the day when 

 weather predictions will be ventured upon by careful mete- 

 orologists for longer periods in advance than have already 

 been attempted by the compilers of the Signal-office " Prob- 

 abilities." 



The true result arrived at by the two years' experience of 

 the signal-office seems to be the renewed confirmation of the 

 experience of European meteorologists as to the perfect fea- 

 sibility of predicting approaching storms, clear weather, 

 winds, etc., in early enough season to be of the greatest ben- 

 efit to all classes of industry. As regards the discovery of 

 new laws, scientists are well aware that these must be of the 

 nature of generalizations or inductions founded upon at least 

 several years' experience. 



