B. TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS AND METEOROLOGY. 83 



magnetic needles were very much disturbed. The rising of 

 the sea under the centre of the cyclone is attributed by 

 Vines to the low barometer prevailing there, to which also 

 he attributes certain slight shocks of earthquake, due to the 

 violent expansion of gases confined within the cavities that 

 abound in the island. 12 A, 1873, 295. 



ox THE SOUKCE OF ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY. 



In a recent number of the journal of the Austrian Meteor- 

 ological Society, Muhry has contributed somewiiat to a better 

 understanding of the obscure subject of atmospheric electric- 

 ity, by considering it in reference to its geographical distri- 

 bution. He maintains that the distribution over the earth's 

 surface of the quantity of electricity is in general parallel 

 with the distribution of temperature ; it increases and di- 

 minishes with the latter, as well in reference to the earth's 

 surface as in reference to the time of the year and the day. 

 The insolation of the earth is to be considered as the source 

 of the atmospheric electricity : its origin lies in the insulat- 

 ing stratum, and it is in this respect to be considered as ter- 

 restrial and not celestial. Atmospheric electricity diminishes 

 as we go from the equator to either pole, and it therefore 

 does not depend on precipitation of vapor, but on tempera- 

 ture. Terrestrial magnetism increases in force as we ap- 

 proach the poles. Electricity is strongest in dry, hot deserts. 

 Contrary to the theories of Dellmann and of Peltier, Mtihry 

 holds that aqueous vapor is merely the conductor, or rather 

 convector, bearing the electricity into higher regions. He 

 suggests that it is more important to meteorology to observe 

 the quantity than the kind of electricity, and that the simple 

 straw electrometer of Volta will suffice, instead of the more 

 delicate and complicated instruments that have been deemed 

 necessary. The most important problems that are now re- 

 maining to be solved are, he thinks, the details of the geo- 

 graphical distribution in reference to latitude, longitude, and 

 dry and moist climates. Zeitsclmft fur Meteor olorjie^ 3Iarch, 

 1873,129. :-' 



THE ADIRONDACK STATE PARK. 



The Commissioners of the'State Parks of the State of N'ew 

 York w^ere directed at a recent session of the Legislature to 



