232 METEOROLOGY AND ALLIED SUBJECTS. 



gations in the field of astronomy, terrestrial magnetism, and meteor- 

 ology have made liim one of the most prominent scientists of Germany. 

 In terrestrial magnetism his name stands beside Gauss. {Z. 0. G. M., 

 XIV, p. 374.) 



Karl Fritsch, vice-director of the Austrian K. K. Central Institute 

 for Meteorology and Terrestrial Magnetism, died 1880, December 2G, in 

 his sixty-eighth year. He was essentially the founder of the Austrian 

 Meteorological Association. From an excellent autobiographical sketch 

 we quote the following items: 



Born in Prague August 16, 1812, he states "that even in my youth 

 I felt an irresistible tendency towards independence in all my conclu- 

 sions. Neither the severity of my father nor the love of my mother 

 was able to conquer my youthful willfulness." 



His first definite impetus in the direction of the study of nature dated 

 from the year 1827, as he began to interest himself in the meteor- 

 ological observations made at the observatory of the University at 

 Prague, and published daily in the " Prager Zeitung," and which were 

 preserved by him. "From that time (November IS, 1827) was I body 

 and soul a meteorologist." In the years 1831 and 1832 he began to make 

 independent meteorological observations, and in part constructed the 

 necessary instruments. Gradually every spare moment was given to 

 this work and every other occupation "driven to the rear." 



The contest between his love for astronomy, " the queen of all sciences," 

 and meteorology, "the youngest of her sisters," was decided, as all the 

 world knows, in favor of the latter. 



In 1839 he became an assistant to K. I^reil in the new Magnetic and 

 Meteorological Observatory at Prague, and the eleven jxars following, 

 1810 to 1850, show the extent and intensity of activity with which he 

 devoted himself to that work. His first independent publication was 

 presented at the end of the year of 1841 to the Bohemian Scientific 

 Association, and bore the title "On the Simultaneity of Meteor Showers, 

 especially the November Showers, with the Low Barometric Pressures." 



The remaining forty years of his life afford a real illustration of suc- 

 cessful devotion to the advancement of a favorite science, and in every 

 application of meteorology to the ])ractical affairs of life his skillful 

 hand has been seen and the influence of his earnest life has been felt. 

 After a tedious illness, on the 26th Of December, 1879, he departed this 

 life, "but for many years his memory will not be forgotten." {Z. 0. G. 

 3L, XV, 1880, p. 105-119.) 



On the 29th of February, 1880, at Eniden, Prof. Dr. M. A. F. Prestel 

 died suddenly of heart disease. He was born at Gottingen in 1809, 

 October 27, and his extensive series of observations and independent 

 studies upon the climate of Emden have made his name everywhere 

 familiar. 



Ludwig Lose, one of the most industrious meteorological observers, 

 died suddenly on November 0, 1880, in Crefeld. A record of twenty-one 



