240 RAIN ON THE ALPS. 



Bemark on the Saromelrical Observations at 

 St, Bernard. 



The author of the summary in the Bibho- 

 theque Universelle remarks with surprise, that 

 the Barometer at St. Bernard gives the highest 

 mean for August and the hottest months, and the 

 lowest in the coldest months. This observation 

 must have been made without due reflection, 

 as the cause is evident; the stratum of air 

 from the height of St. Bernard to the sur- 

 face of the earth, must be Hghter in summer 

 than v^^inter on account of the higher tem- 

 perature ; consequently the superior atmosphere 

 must then be heavier, the sum of both being 

 considered a constant quantity in summer and 

 winter. 



