16 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 



several facts, but, like all the other theories of atmospheric 

 electricity, not incontrovertible. Further researches and 

 experiments will show its truth, or its fallacy. But if, in ad- 

 dition to known facts, it should be proved that the greatest 

 intensity of atmospheric electricity occurs in both the north- 

 ern and southern hemisphere in the same months of the 

 year as the greatest intensity of the magnetic force, this ex- 

 perimentum cruets would, in my view, give to this theory a 

 basis firm enough to be considered a fundamental truth. 



Meteorological Observations, made in 1861, in St. Louis, 

 Mo., by A. Wislizenus, M.D. 



The observations of atmospheric electricity are made in 

 the central part of the city, at my residence, No. 91, South 

 Fifth street, corner of Almond, at the height of forty feet 

 above the pavement, and with Dellmanrfs collecting appa- 

 ratus and electrometer. The quantity of atmospheric elec- 

 tricity is given in the degrees of that electrometer, from 1 to 

 90. Its quality, as exhibited by the instrument, is the oppo- 

 site of atmospheric electricity ; but to prevent mistakes I 

 have changed the signs in the following tables, + and - 

 represent therefore the real state of the atmospheric elec- 

 tricity. 



The icinds are recorded in eight points of the compass, and 

 their force is estimated in figures from 1 to 10. 



1. Very light breeze. 



2. Gmtle breeze. 



3. Fresh breeze. 



4. Strong wind. 



5. High wind. 

 G. Gale. 



7. Strong gale. 



8. Violent gale. 



9. Hurricane. 



10. Most violent hurricane. 



The sky, or the amount of cloudiness, is designated by 

 figures frm to 10—10 being entire cloudiness, 5 half cloud- 

 iness, and entire clearness. 



The kind of clouds are entered, st. (stratus), cu. (cumu- 

 lus), cir. (cirrus), nim. (nimbus), and cir. St., cu. St., cir. cu. 

 (cirrostratus, cumulostratus, cirrocumulus), etc. 



The relative humidity, or the per centage of saturation of 

 the air with vapor, is calculated from the difference of the dry 

 and wet bulb thermometer by means of the Smithsonian 

 tables; 100 indicating full saturation; 50 half saturation, etc. 



Fog 1 means slight fog. 

 " 2 common fog. 

 " 3 thick, dense fog. 



