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METEOROLOGY — WATER. 211 



its immediate homologues towarcj sodium nitroprussid in an alkaline (ammo- 

 niacal) solution. If a few drops of sodium nitroprussid are added to a solu- 

 tion containing nitiometlian an indigo blue coloration is produced. 



A procedure for applying this test for the detection of denatured alcohol is 

 also described. 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



On some meteorological conditions controlling- nocturnal radiation, J. R. 

 Sutton (Trans. Roy, Soc. So. Africa, 2 (1912), pt. 5, pp. 3S1-393) .—ThxH paper 

 is based upon observations at Kimberley during a period of 8 years with 2 

 radiation (spirit) thermometers, one placed upon the grass and the other 

 mounted on a light brass stand 5 in. above the grass. 



The general conclusion reached is " that after allowance has been made for 

 the state of the sky and the movement of the air, the only factor of real im- 

 portance determining the magnitude of the radiation-temperature gradient is 

 the relative humidity. The absolute humidity, as such, is unimportant." 



Some causes and effects of variation in the range of temperature, J. K. and 

 Elizabeth M. Sutton (Trans. Roy. Soc. So. Africa, 2 (1912), pt. 4, pp. 3^1- 

 S56). — This paper presents the results of a study of what variation if any of 

 the diurnal curve of barometric pressure accompanies a greater or less range of 

 temperature as night follows day. 



Nitrogen in rain and snow, N. Knight (Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci., 18 (1911), pp. 

 75-77). — The results of analyses with reference to the nitrogen content of 9 

 samples of snow and 8 samples of rain collected at Mount Vernon, low^a, during 

 8 mouths, excluding May, June, July, and August, of 1910 are given. The total 

 amount of nitrogen brought down to the soil by precipitation during this period 

 was 13.71 lbs. per acre. 



Dry season and droughts in Rhodesia, E. Goetz (Rhodesia Ayr. Jour., 10 

 (1913), Nos. If, pp. 538-5U; 5, pp. C91-G9S; 6, pp. S2 8-832) .—The rainfall 

 throughout Rhodesia during the dry season for a number of years is summarized 

 and the conclusion is reached that there is no useful rainfall from April to 

 October, inclusive. Droughts of more or less severity also occur during the so- 

 called rainy season, a fortnight or more without rain or 20 to 25 days with not 

 more than * in. of rain being considered a drought. The distribution of droughts 

 throughout the year for a series of years is shown. Changes in farm practice 

 better to adapt them to weather conditions are discussed. 



The regime of underground waters in the neighborhood of Polesia, E. V. 

 Oppokov (PochvoviedQn'ie (Pedologie), 15 (1913), No. 2-3, pp. 29-57, pi. 1). — 

 Nine years' observations are reported on ground water level and the factors 

 affecting it made on three wells in the immediate neighborhood of Polesia in 

 the Province of Minsk. The variations in ground water level and the effects 

 of atmospheric precipitation, evaporation, and temperature on its position are 

 graphically represented. 



From his ob.servations the author concludes that the atmospheric precipita- 

 tions have a marked influence on the height of ground water level, which is 

 manifested within a short time, generally not more than a month after precipi- 

 tation during the warm months. He further concludes that the sinking of the 

 ground water level during the dry years was due entirely to loss by evapora- 

 tion, etc., that the rise of water level during the wet years was due to the 

 recuperation of the average quantity of soil moisture during the rainy periods 

 following the dry periods, and also that the excess water of a rainy year is 

 held in reserve for the dry year or years following. 



Water supplies, with special reference to underground water, L. K. Ward 

 (Jour, Dept. Ayr. So. Aust., 17 (1913), Xo. 4, pp. 4P^-50^).— Referring especially 



