WATER SOILS. 427 



A monograph on the mechanics and equilibrium of kites, C. F. Marvin ( U. S. 

 Dept.Agr., Weather Bureau, Monthly Weather Eeview, ?5 (1897), Xo. 4, pp. 136-161, figs. 

 23; Doc. 122, pp. 71,figs. 23). — This monograph was awarded the Chanute prize offered 

 by the Boston Aeronautical Society. It defines the kite and discusses the general 

 and fundamental principles of physics and mechanics which underlie the action of 

 kites and the relation of forces which is essential to their flight and stability. The 

 application of these general theories and principles in particular cases is explained. 



Resume of solar observations at the royal observatory of the Roman College 

 during the first quarter of 1897, P. Tacciiini (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Pari*, 125 

 {1897), Xo. S, pp. 392-394). 



The recent storms in France, July and August, 1897, and the solar period, 

 C. V. Zengkr (Contpt. Bend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 125 (1S97), Xo. 8, pp. 3S8-391). 



Investigation on the relation of atmospheric precipitation to plants and soils, 

 E. Wollnv (Forsch. Gel. af/r. Phys., 20 (1897), Xo. I, pp. 111-131).— -The influence of 

 rain, hail, snow, and sleet on plant growth is discussed on the basis of the author's 

 observations and experiments. 



WATER— SOILS. 



The water supply of Cache Valley, 8. Forties ( Utah Sta. Bui. 

 50, pp. 50, dgms. 8, map 1). — The Cache Valley is nearly surrounded by 

 mountains. A spur of the Wasatch range forms the elevated divide 

 between it and Bear Lake Valley in Rich County to the east, and 

 another spur of the same range forms the lower divide between it and 

 Great Salt Lake audMalad River valleys to the west. 



"The average elevation of the cultivated portion of the valley is about 

 4,500 ft.; its length from north to south varies from 40 to 50 miles, and 

 its width from east to west from 10 to 15 miles." 



A summary is given of the results of measurements made at differ- 

 ent times during the year 1896 of the different streams flowing into 

 Cache Valley and of the capacities of the ditches and canals in the 

 same valley, together with accurate current meter measurements and 

 daily records of the outflow of the valley through Bear River. 



"The object sought was to determine the ratio existing between the inflow, dimin- 

 ished by the volumes used in irrigation, and the outflow. This ratio being known 

 for a continuous period of 3 months, an opportunity is ottered to compare the loss 

 of water due to evaporation with the gain due to seepage from irrigated areas and 

 from the adjacent hillsides. 



"Other objects held in view, although of minor importance to the student of hydrog- 

 raphy but possessing great value to the irrigator, were the average flow of the 

 various ditches and canals, the amount of the surplus waters of the large streams, 

 and the duty of the irrigating waters. . . . 



"The mode of measurement adopted consisted in a determination of the cross 

 section of the stream, canal, or ditch, after which the mean velocity of the water- 

 was found by a current meter. ,; 



Rainfall and evaporation, especially as related to this region, are 

 briefly discussed. Diagrams constructed from the data obtained show 

 the appropriated and unappropriated water (June 15 to September 15, 

 1896) of the Logan River, Blacksmith Fork River, Bear River, Cub 

 River, Summit Creek and tributaries, and High Creek; and a table 

 gives the summer How of the principal streams of the valley. 

 10078— No. 5 a 



