METEOROLOGY — WATER. 15 



Observations rocordeil deal with the climatology of Mt. Rose, plant environ- 

 ment, the relation of timber to the conservation of snow, frost forecasting from 

 Mt. Kose, storms, and clouds. Partial reports of these observations have already 

 been noted (E. S. R., 18, p. 529; 19, p. 413). 



The observations indicate that weather changes are distinctly indicated at 

 the summit of Mt. Rose some time in advance of such changes in the valleys 

 below, i. e.. that the weather changes advance from west to east more rapidly 

 in the upper air of the mountain top than in the lower air, but they also indi- 

 cate " tliat the descent of storms from high altitudes is a greater factor in the 

 understanding of weather conditions than the progress of storm areas from 

 west to east." The cloud movements on the mountain top give visible evidence 

 of these descending storms. 



Extension of equipment and observations, with a view especially to the devel- 

 opment of the study of plant environment, frost forecasting, and snowfall and 

 the relation of mountain timber to conservation of snow, is planned. 



"As soon as the instruments can be made, meteorographs will be installed 

 under competent care at TrucUee, Cal. (5.819 ft.), and at Fallon. Xev. (3.965 

 ft.), in order to obtain data for a careful comparison of the changes of the 

 weather as it passes from west to east and from high to low altitudes.'" 



One of these places is at the w-est end of the upper Truckee Basin and the 

 other in Carson Sink. Both regions can be seen from Mt. Rose. " One repre- 

 sents the semimountain belt of eastern California, the other the fertile agri- 

 cultural district of western Nevada." 



Bulletin of the Mount Weather Observatory ( T. >s'. Dcpt. Agr., Bui. Mount 

 Weather Obscrv., 2 {1909), pt. 1, pp. o'/, figs. 4, charts 6). — This number con- 

 tains the following articles : Vertical Temperature Gradients of the Atmosphere, 

 Especially in the Region of the Upper Inversion (illus. ), by W. .J. Humphreys; 

 Auroral Displays and Magnetic Disturbances at Mount Weather During Sep- 

 tember, 1908. by W. R. Gregg; and Upper Air Temperatures for July, August, 

 and September (illus.), by W. R. Blair. 



The present status of meteorolog-y, E. Esclangon (Mem. Soc. Sci. Phys. et 

 Sat. Bordeaux. 6. ser., J, (1908). Xo. 1, pp. J,9-G6, figs. 7).— This i.s a brief dis- 

 cussion dealing more particularly with the que.stion of weather forecasting and 

 its scientific and jtractical status. 



Warm months in relation to sun-spot numbers, A. B. McDowall (Nature 

 [London], 7.9 (1909). Xo. 20.'iS, pp. 367, 368, fig. 1).—A method of comparison 

 is described which gave results indicating a direct relation between sun-spots 

 and warmth. 



The weather for 1908, W. O. Hayes (Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1908, pp. 316- 

 882). — The temperature and rainfall of each month at Tucson, Phoenix, Yuma, 

 and four other places in the Territory during each month of the j'ear are 

 reported. Diagrams are given illustrating the sharp fluctuations in temperature 

 which frequently occur, due mainly to the dryness of the air. The precipita- 

 tion for the year was slightly above the normal for the Territory and at Tucson 

 it was about ;; in. higher than the average for the ])recoding 27 years. 



Meteorological observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, .7. E. Ostkander and R. C. Lindblad (Massachusetts Sta. Met. 

 Bills. 2.'i3, 2.'i't. pp. Jf each). — Summaries of observations at Amherst. Mass., on 

 pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, cloudiness, and 

 casual phenomena during INlarch and April. 1909. The data are briefly discussed 

 in general notes on the weather of each month. 



Meteorological summary for the year 1907, F. A. Smith (Wiiomhig Sta. 

 Rpt. 1908. pp. 8l~9.'i). — Summaries are given of observations at Laramie, Wyo., 

 on pressure, temperature, precipitatiou, humidity, suushiue and cloudiness, and 



