EXPLOKATrON OF ATMOSPHERE AT SEA BY XITES. 249 



metoorolog}'. The two Antarctic vessels already mentioned are 

 unlikely for several reasons, but chiefly because they g-enerally pro- 

 ceeded under sail, to have contributed important data concerning the 

 up]ier air in their vo3'ages across the e({uator. Although the United 

 States has taken no part in this international Antarctic campaign, an 

 opportunity is offered, during- the next year or two, without material 

 expense, danger, or hardship, to cooperate in a stud}' of the general 

 atmospheric circulation, which is one of the objects of polar explora- 

 tion. Indeed, for a naval vessel not actually engaged otherwise, the 

 sounding of the atmosphere in the tropics, Avhereby the relation of the 

 upper-air currents to the winds useful for navigation may be ascer- 

 tained, would seem to be as legitimate a task as sounding the depths 

 of the oceans and determining the currents and temperatures prevail- 

 ing there. But if our Navy Department will not authorize this, a 

 private expedition should be organized to investigate the questions 

 mentioned, which are of prime importance for meteorology and physical 

 geography. 



