MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORIES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 33 



There is eight times as much snowfall as rainfall at this station. 

 The twinkling of the stars is regularh^ observed on the Sonnblick, 

 and it is found to be considerably greater than at the lower station. 



The movements of the barometer ; the wind pressures and velocities ; 

 the relative humidity ; the formation and movements of clouds ; the 

 amount of atmospheric electricity ; and all meteorological phenomena 

 are daily observed on the Sonnblick, and these observations are em- 

 ployed in daily weather predictions. But their usefulness does not 

 end here by any means, for the observations are thoroughly discussed 

 and digested with reference to the fundamental problems of meteoro- 

 logical physics by the director of the Austrian Meteorological Service, 

 Dr. Hann, and by his assistants. The first cost of this station was 

 6600 Austrian florins (about $3201), and its annual budget is 200 

 florins ($97). 



ABASTOUMAN OBSERVATORY (tIFLIS, RUSSIA, 4600 FEET). 



An observatory was founded in the government of Tiflis by the 

 Grand Duke George of Eussia, at an elevation of 4600 feet, and Pro- 

 fessor Glasenapp has made many observations of double stars with 

 its 9-inch equatorial. The station is now, I believe, abandoned. 



Mountain Kailways in Switzerland. 



Since Switzerland has become the playground of Europe, mountain 

 railways have already been constructed to various summits, and summer 

 resorts established there. Science benefits by these experiments, for 

 meteorological stations have been installed at such favorable points. 



The Mt. Washington (6279 feet) mountain railway, opened in 1869, 

 was probably the first of the kind. It is operated like all the early 

 mountain railways by an engine with cog-wheel drivers. The railway 

 up the Eigi (5741 feet), opened 1873, is on the same plan. The 

 Mount Pilatus railway (6785 feet) was opened in 1888, and is again 

 on the early plan. 



Since the completion of the Pilatus railway a considerable number 

 of others have been built or are in process of building. A number of 

 them are cable roads, or electric trolley lines. The MUrren railway 

 (1891) ends at an altitude of 5350 feet in face of the magnificent group 

 of the Jungfrau (15,700 feet). 



The Swiss government has authorized the construction of a com- 

 bined railway and elevator which will land the traveller at the summit 

 of this wonderfully beautiful peak and in the centre of a grand pano- 

 rama; and it is understood that the government will subsidize the 

 enterprise. 



