EXPLORATION OF ATMOSPHERE AT SEA P.V KITES. 249 



meteorology. The two Antarctic vessels already mentioned are 

 unlikely for several reasons. but chiefly because they generally pro- 

 ceeded under sail, to have contributed important data concerning the 

 upper air in their voyages across the equator. Although the United 

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

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

 expense, danger, or hardship, to cooperate in a study of the general 

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

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

 sounding of the atmosphere in the tropics, whereby the relation of tlu 

 vpper-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. 



