1919] METEOROLOGY. 315 



of acetic, oxalic, and formic acids and methyl alcohol obtainable from the saw- 

 dust of various species of wood by fusion with alkali. The data obtained are 

 summarized as follows : 



" From 17 to 20 per cent of acetic acid can be obtained from hardwood saw- 

 dust by fusion with sodium hydroxid. A simultaneous production of oxalic acid 

 amounting to approximately 50 per cent of the dry weight of the wood is ob- 

 tained. If the reaction is carried out in a closed vessel, a simultaneous pro- 

 duction of methyl alcohol results amounting to 2.4 per cent; but as the tem- 

 perature is increased beyond 200° the yield of oxalic acid is considerably re- 

 duced. At lower temperatures both formic and acetic acids are produced, 

 amounting to approximately 15 per cent each. It has been found possible to 

 recover as nuich as 91 per cent of the alkali used." 



METEOROLOGY. 



The importance of climatolog'y to tropical agriculture, F. T. McLean {Phil- 

 ippine Agr., 7 (J919}, No. 7, pp. 191-194) • — The subject is discussed particularly 

 from the standpoint of conditions prevailing in the Philippine Islands. It is 

 stated that " the great variety of climatic conditions to be found in the moun- 

 tains and lowlands of the Philippines makes a study of climatology especially 

 profitable for Philippine students of agriculture." 



Meteorolog'ical observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment 

 Station, J. E. Ostkander, A. L. Chandler, and G. A. Smith (Massachusetts 

 Sta. Met. Buls. 365-366 (1919), pp. 4 each). — Summaries of observations at Am- 

 herst, Mass., on pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, 

 cloudiness, and casual phenomena during May and June, 1919, are presented. 

 The data are briefly discussed in general notes on the weather of each month. 



Meteorology report for 1917, F. E. Hefner (Wyoming Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. 

 90-94). — Monthly summaries are given of observations at Laramie, Wyo., during 

 1917 on temperature, pressure, precipitation, humidity, sunshine, and wind 

 movement. The highest temperature was 88° F., July 22; the lowest, — 24°, 

 January 22. The total precipitation was 9.71 in. The highest relative humidity 

 was 100 per cent ; the lowest, 16 per cent, June 23. The greatest velocity of 

 wind was 740 miles per day, IMay 8. The first killing frost was September 1.5. 



Measurements of precipitation under trees, F. Linke (Met. Ztschr. [Bruns- 

 wick], 33 (1916), No. 3, pp. 140, 141). — It is Stated that observations at the 

 Taunus Observatory, near Frankfort, at an elevation of about 800 meters 

 (2,624 ft.) above sea level and with a mean annual precipitation of about 1,000 

 mm. (.39.4 in.), show 06 per cent more precipitation annually under trees than 

 in the open. The excess occurred during dewy and foggy days. Without fog 

 and dew the precipitation was less under trees than in the open. 



Fourth, report of the Committee for the Investigation of Atmospheric Pol- 

 lution, 1917-18 (Lancet [London], 1919, I, No. 24, Suih, pp. XXIII, flf/s. 6; 

 No. 24, p. 1035). — In continuation of previous reports, data obtained at 24 sta- 

 tions in England and Scotland are sunmiarized and discussed. 



The data indicate some improvement in the state of the atmosphere during 

 the winter months, but that pollution during the summer months is on the in- 

 crease as compared with previous years. The deposit of sulphates was greatest 

 during the winter months. The deposit of ammonia was practically the same 

 in summer as in winter. " Sulphates, chlortn, and ammonia vary more or loss 

 together, and this is to be expected, as they all form part of the soluble deposit, 

 which is to a great extent governed by the rainfall. None of the other deposits 

 appear to show any special relation to each other." 



