ABSTRACTS 



•Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. Each 

 of the scientific bureaus in Washington has a representative authorized to for- 

 ward such material to this journal and abstracts of official publications should 

 be transmitted through the representative of the bureau in which they originate. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



METEOROLOGY.— /fwmmnes of the West Indies. Oliver L. Fassig- 

 Weather Bureau Bulletin 10: pp. 28, pis. 25. 1913. 

 The early completion of the Panama Canal makes the present appear- 

 ance of a good bulletin on the hurricanes of the West Indies peculiarlj^ 

 timely, and the one under consideration fully meets the needs of all who 

 are likely to be interested in this subject. The text is divided as follows : 

 (1) Hurricane areas and hurricane tracks; (2) Frequency of hurricanes; 

 (3) Progressive movement of hurricanes; (4) Duration and intensity of 

 hurricanes; (5) Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons; (6) Signs of an 

 approaching tropical cyclone; (7) The hurricane of August 7-20, 1899; 

 (8) Origin of tropical cyclones. The chief feature of the bulletin is its 

 excellent colored charts, which tell at a glance practically the whole 

 hurricane story. W. J. Humphreys. 



METEOROLOGY.— O/i the physics of the atmosphere. W. J. Hum- 

 phreys. Journal of the Franklin Institute. 175: 207-244. 1913. 

 In this article a number of physical phenomena of the atmosphere are 

 described and their explanations given. Such as: (1) Vertical tempera- 

 ture gradients as determined by sounding balloons; (2) Composition of 

 the atmosphere at various elevations; (3) Density of the atmosphere at 

 different levels; (4) The nature and cause of the isothermal region; (5) 

 The origin and the climatic effects of the permanent centers of high 

 pressure on the oceans; (6) The structure of the wind, including wind 

 layers, gusts, and cases of violent vertical convection; (7) The origin of 

 thunder-storm electricity. There are also thirteen illustrations that 

 make it easier for the reader to follow the text. W. J. H. 



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