METEOROLOGY WATER. 713 



changes and tli(> acconipauyiuij; rainfall Unotnatlons at oitjioslte sides of the 

 earth. See also a previons note (K. 8. 11., is, ]>. 711). 



On the radioactivity of atmospheric precipitation {Ifiiiniirl U. Erdr, 19 

 (1907), ISlo. 12, IK ■tJ.'i). — This is a brief note on observations by (J. Costanzo and 

 C. Negro in Bologna on the radioactivity of snow and rain nnder different con- 

 ditions. They fonnd that the snow and rain were always radioactive at the 

 time of precipitation, bnt that the radioactivity disappeared very quickly 

 (within 2 lioui-si after pr(H-!|)itation. I'rccipitation accompanying storms was 

 decidedly more radioactiv** than ordinary precipitation. 



Factors which modify the climate of Victoria, A. \V. McCurdy (Nat. Cjeogr. 

 Mag., 18 (1907), Ao. .7, /</). ,?//.5-;?'/8, fif/s. 2).— The climate of Victoria is stated 

 to be characterized by a mild winter, warm snnuner days and cool summer 

 nights, and a niiiiiiiium iireciiiitntion. The principal factors determining the 

 climate arc insular jiosition; very uniform temperature of the Pacific Ocean to 

 the west; prevailing westerly winds, with free access; high mountain ranges 

 which are situated at such distance that but little of the precipitation caused 

 by them extends to Victoria ; the 01ymi)ic Mountains, withdrawing the moisture 

 from the south winds before they reach Victoria and rendering them cool and 

 dry; and small precipitation throughout a large portion of the year, ])ermitting 

 abundant sunshint*. 



Natural conditions of Uruguay, A. Backhaus and J. V. Diaz (Rev. ^ecc. 

 Agron. Uiiir. Moiitcridco, 1907, Xo. 1, pp. 87-9//). — The climatic and soil condi- 

 tions of this country are briefly summarized. 



The climate of Ceylon, W. H. de Silva {Brit, Med. .Jour., 1907, No. 2U5, 

 pp. 1338-1 SJiO). — The climatic conditions of Ceylon are briefly summarized. The 

 mean annual temperature of the island is 76.3° F., the high^t recorded tem- 

 perature for the last 35 years 103.7°, and the lowest 2S.2°. The climate varies 

 considerably in different parts of the island as regards both temperature and 

 rainfall, being influenced chiefly by the elevation and by the southwest and 

 northeast monsoons. The average annual rainfall for a lai'ge number of years 

 has been 72.8(5 in. 



Climate of different parts of the world, M. Butjsman (Cultura, 19 {1907), 

 Xos. 225, pp. .] 1,0-3-1,2; 228-229, pp. 591,-601; 231, pp. 769-780).— This is a con- 

 tribution to the climate of Cochin-China as indicated by the growth of differ- 

 ent species of plants. See also a previous note (E. S. R., ID, p. ll.^»). 



Chemical, microg'raphical, and bacteriological studies of the mineral 

 waters of Cuba, .T. A. Fkrnanukz Benitkz (.1;;. Acad. ('loi. Hahaiia, J,.', {1907), 

 June, pp. G',^72: Jiihi-Au!/., pp. 181-196; t<ept., pp. 297-336, pis. 9; Oct., pp. 

 "69-397, pLs. 6; Noi\, pp. .',51-.',75, pi. 1). — Methods employed and the results ob- 

 tained in the examination of a large number of samples of water from different 

 provinces of Cuba are reported in detail. A classification of the waters on the 

 basis of the results obtained is given. 



The microflora of the Prague water supply, F. Ruttner {Arch. Xaturw. 

 Landcsdurchf. Bohmeii, 13 {1906), No. .',, pp. .1,7, figs. 8).— The methods used 

 and results obtained in a detailed study of the water supply of Prague and its 

 relation to the sources from which it is derived are reported. 



Water supplies and water powers [of north-central Wisconsin], S. Weid- 

 man {Wis. dcol. (iiid Nat. Hist. Hurrejj Bui. 16, 1907, 8ci. *SVt. //. ;)/). 663-672, 

 pi. 1). — A study of this subject in connection witli a geological survey of north- 

 central Wisconsin showed that the numerous streams of the area afford abun- 

 dant supplies of water for stock and that there is an abimdant supply of soft 

 underground water for domestic iJuriMjses in all of the geological formations. 



A partially completed survey of the water power of the area shows this to be 

 a prominent and valuable natural resource. 



