METEOROLOGY WATER. 813 



The estimation of moistui'e in creosoted wood, A. L. Dean {U. >S;. Dcijt. 

 Agi\, Forest Sen: Circ. IS.'f, pp. 7, figs. J). — The ordiiiiiry method of detevmiu- 

 luR moisture by drying at 100° is not ai)plicab]e to creosoted wood because the 

 creosote as well as the water is driven off. The author reports a study of the 

 use of :Marcusson's method for this purpose and describes the procedure, which 

 gives satisfactory results. The apparatus for use in carrying out the deterniinft- 

 tiou is illustrated. The method is said to be also adapted to the estimation of 

 water in creosote oils. 



Concerning' the estimation of cellulose. Councler {Ztsclir. Forst it. Jagdic. 

 39 (1907). Xo. 7, pp. 'i2S-'i.'il). — A comparison of methods with special referince 

 to the estimation of cellulose in wood. 



A borer for soil sampling, .T. M. von Hassel (German Patent Xo. ]899H2. 

 Sept. 12, 1905; al)fi. in Chem. Ztg.. 31 (1907), No. 96, Repert. No. 88, p. 595, fig. 

 1). — The implement described consists of an outer and an inner cylinder so ar- 

 ranged that the latter can be withdrawn and the soil core removed without 

 withdrawing the outer cylinder from tlie soil. 



The sampling and sending of fertilizers, soils, and feed stuffs for free 

 examination (Massaelnisetts Sta. Circ 10. itp. 3). — A summary of matters to 

 be particularly considered by those desiring to have materials examined by the 

 station. 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



On precipitation types and their influence on the yearly periods of pre- 

 cipitation, G. ScHWALBE (Met. Ztselir., 2// (1907), No. 9, pp. 385-393; abs. in 

 Scienee, n. ser., 26 (1907), No. 67.',, p. 76i).— Four different types, viz, (1) 

 wind and storm type, (2) land rains. (.3) transiticm type, and (4) storm type, 

 are descril>ed, and the relation of these types to the yearly distribution as shown 

 by observations on precipitation at Berlin during the 10-year period, l'S!)4-1003, 

 and at other places in (Germany, is discussed. The distribution of the tyi)es in 

 different parts of Germany is also briefly considered. 



" The conclusions, which are of wide application, are as follows: (1) The in- 

 fluence of thunderstorm rains upon the annual rainfall amount is considerable; 

 (2) as thunderstorms occur almost wholly in summer, they tend to make the 

 summer the season of maximum rainfall; (3) without the thunderstorm rain- 

 falls the annual period shows a tendency to heavier rains in spring and fall, 

 with less rain in the extreme seasons; (4) in the interior of eastern Germany 

 the continental type of snmn)er rainfall maximum is n)arked, so that the .mnual 

 period is not essentially altered by thunderstorms; (5) rainfall which comes in 

 showers *s fairly equally distributed throughout the year; (6) squalls have a 

 maximum in spring and fall ; (7) general rains have a winter maximum in coast 

 districts, an autumn maximum in transition areas, and a summer maximum In 

 the interior." 



Temperature and moisture of the air at 0.2 and 2.2 meters above the soil 

 (Ztselir. For.st u. Jagdw., 39 (I'MH). \<>. 11, pp. 722-72-'i). — Observations during 

 each month of ItKXi are recorded which show that the vapor pressure varied 

 \ery slightly at the two heights during the winter, l)Ut in summer was consider- 

 ably greater near the surface of the soil than at the greater height, the greatest 

 difference, 1.2 nnn., occurring in July. The relative humidity also increased as 

 the surface of the soil was ai)proached. 



A summary of temperature conditions, insolation, and rainfall in middle 

 Japan, E. Papellier (dartenwelt, 12 (1907), No. 9, pp. 103-105, fig. /). — The 

 general climatic conditions with especial reference to their effect upon the 

 growth of certain garden plants which have been introduced into various parts 

 of Europe from Japan are summarized, and a table shows temperature, frosts, 



