810 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 43 



in forecasting both temperature and precipitation, reported by Clayton of 

 tbe Argentine Meteorological Service, is referred to. 



Temperature variations in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the atmos- 

 phere, B. Helland-Hansen and F. Nansen (Smithsn. Misc. Collect., 70 (1920), 

 No. Jf, pp. VI 1 1 +408, pis. 48, figs. US). — This introductory memoir on the cause 

 of climatic variations is based on a detailed study of variations in the tempera- 

 ture of the air and surface waters along the steamer route from the English 

 Channel to New York City. In the light of their studies the authors consider 

 the theory of oceanic control of temperature inadequate, and accept the theory 

 that meteorological changes are caused mainly by solar variation as evidenced 

 in sunspots, solar prominences, and magnetic disturbances, acting through the 

 atmospheric circulation. 



It is shown as a result of the investigations that " a very close relation exists 

 between variations in the solar activity and variations in the meteorological 

 phenomena of the earth. Even short interval variations in the radiation of the 

 sun are shown very distinctly in our meteorological phenomena and in the sur- 

 face temperature of the ocean. They act through variations of the air-pressure 

 distribution, but the expression on the earth may take different dii'ections ac- 

 cording to conditions, running inverted to the solar variations or parallel to 

 them. . . . 



" Different groups of regions vary intact in a definite direction, while another 

 group of regions varies in an opposite sense, and again still other regions show 

 transition phenomena, partly on account of phase displacements and partly on 

 account of mixed relationships to the primary groups. All this gives us a 

 variegated picture of the meteorological fluctuations, but out of this same varie- 

 gated picture we find also by a proper analysis the influence of the variations 

 in the solar activity, which in all probability make themselves felt first in the 

 higher layers of the atmosphere and thereby produce disturbances which again 

 introduce changes in the lower layers. Such dynamic changes will take differ- 

 ent courses in respect to the temperature, cloudiness, precipitation, etc., at dif- 

 ferent stations of the earth. But it seems possible by a thorough evaluation of 

 available observational material to work out sure and general rules to cover 

 the phenomena." 



Meteorological influences of the sun and the Atlantic, J. W. Gregory 

 (Nature ILondon], 105 (1920), No. 2649, pp. 715, 716).— A review of the article 

 noted above, with references to previous investigations bearing upon the same 

 subject. 



The world's rainfall (U. S. Geol. Survey Press Bui. 452 (1920), p. 6; also in 

 Jour. Franklin Inst., 190 (1920), No. 3, p. 430).— "The total annual rainfall 

 upon all the land of the globe amounts to 29.347 cubic miles, and of this quan- 

 tity 6,524 cubic miles drains off through rivers to the sea. A cubic mile of river 

 water weighs about 4,205,650,000 tons and carries in solution an average of 

 about 420,000 tons of foreign matter. In all, about 2,735,000,000 tons of solid 

 matter is thus carried annually to the ocean." 



Cliniatological data for the United States by sections (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Weather Bur. Climat. Data, 7 (1920), Nos. 1, pp. [2iS], pis. 4, figs. 2; 2, pp. 

 [212], pis. 4, fig. 1). — These volumes contain brief summaries and detailed tabu- 

 lar statements of climatologlcal data for each State for January and February, 

 1920, respectively. 



Meteorological summaries (Kentucky Sta. Rpt. 1919, pt. 1, pp. 61-64). — 

 Tables compiled from the records of the U. S. Weather Bureau at Lexington, 

 Ky., summarize data for temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and cloudi- 

 ness for 1919, and for temperature, precipitation, and wind for 1872-1919. 



