218 PROGRESS OF METEOROLOGY IN 1889. 



fluds similar and synclirouous oscillatious in the level of the Caspian, 

 the Black, and the Baltic seas ; in the rain-fall throughout Europe, and 

 in Asia, Australia, and in the interior of North America; in the tem- 

 perature of Europe and New England ; in the advance and recession 

 of the lower limit of the Alpine glaciers; in the times of vintage in 

 France, Germany, and Switzerland ; and in the opening of Russian 

 rivers. 



The rhythm of temperature oscillations corresponds with the rain-fall 

 variations in such a way that warm periods are dry, and cool periods are 

 wet. In the present century the maxima of rainfall group themselves 

 around the years 1815, IS50 and 1880, the minima around the years 1830 

 and 1860. The curves also show an increase in the amplitude of oscil- 

 lation on advancing fiT)m the coast into the interior of the continents. 



These climatic oscillations in their effect upon agriculture, are believed 

 to be of sufficient magnitude to determine the productivity or non-pro- 

 ductivity of vast areas in arid and semi-arid regions. 



Storm Warnings. — The possibilityof giving successful storm warnings 

 for western Europe by constructing the hypothetical distribution of 

 pressure over the Atlantic is urged by M. deBort. He points out that 

 from the known monthlj^ normal distribution of i)ressure, together with 

 the observed isobars of Europe and America, obtained from telegraphic 

 reports, the general pressure over the Atlantic, and especially the ex- 

 istence there of pronounced storm-centers, can be inferred. {Nature, 

 XXXVIII, 419.) 



In the report of the Meteorological Council (of Great Britain) for the 

 year ending March 31, 1888, Mr. K. B. Scott concludes that it is extremely 

 improbable that telegraphic reports from America can assist in fore- 

 casting the weather in Great Britain, and this conclusion is supported 

 by the actual results obtained in dealing with American reports during 

 the year. 



Mr. H. N. Dickson has presented a paper to the Scottish Meteoro- 

 logical society on " The weather lore of Scottish fishermen." Prognosti- 

 cations from halos; coronne, and mock suns are of common acceptation. 

 It is a current belief that when a sun-dog precedes the sun it is a sign 

 of good weather, and when it follows the sun it is a sign of bad weather. 

 Another very general belief relates to the existence of spider's webs in 

 sails and cordage. On the north and west coast it is believed that cir- 

 rus running from northeast to southwest is a sign of good weather, and 

 running from southeast to northwest is a sign of bad weather. Manj^ 

 other peculiar beliefs are related. 



III.— INSTRUMENTS ; METHODS OF REDUCTION; AERONAUTICS. 



Qas thermometer. — In the International Bureau of Weights and Meas- 

 ures Dr. Chappuis has conducted a new series of observations on the 

 difference between gas and mercurial thermometers. The latter were 



I 



