EXPLORING THE UPPER AIR 



as the meteorograph. Ours was the now well- 

 known Fergusson type of meteorograph which 

 weighs only about one-tenth as much as the one 

 in more general use. We could thus employ smal- 

 ler balloons to lift this device, and Mr. Fergusson 

 made use of two balloons each inflated to a diameter 

 of about a meter and connected in tandem with 

 the deflating device attached to the lower of the 

 two. Connected to the other balloon was a para- 

 chute of red silk which would ease the descent after 

 the lower balloon had been deflated. 



For the first trial the elevation to be attained 

 was fixed at only 400 meters, or slightly less than 

 a quarter of a mile. With its attached instruments 

 this balloon came down over the fjord and was 

 rescued without difficulty by the prompt use of 

 the motor-boat. The second ascent was adjusted 

 for 1700 meters, or a little over a mile, and this 

 time the descent was made into the amphitheatre 

 near our camp and the record recovered. En- 

 couraged by these successes, Mr. Fergusson set 

 the third balloon for an altitude of 3000 meters, 

 or nearly a mile and three-quarters. This time, 

 unfortunately, the deflating device failed to func- 

 tion and the balloon was seen as it passed out of 

 sight over the rim of the amphitheatre moving off 

 to the northwestward with its precious burden. 



55 



