10 MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORIES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 



During the scientific balloon ascents from Munich, the neighboring 

 mountain-stations of Hohenpeissenberg, Hirscliberg, and Wenclelstein 

 made corresponding observations on many separate occasions. A dis- 

 cussion of all of these showed that in general the mountain tempera- 

 tures were far from harmonizing w4th the temperature of the free-air as 

 obtained from the balloon. The latter temperature is, however, that 

 which is wanted for scientific purposes. It can only be obtained from 

 the thermometer-readings at the high-level stations by applying em- 

 pirical connections which are neither constant nor certain. The dis- 

 turbing effect of the mountain masses cannot be fully eliminated. 

 Further progress in scientific meteorology appears, then, to be depend- 

 ent upon data obtained from a series of intelligently planned balloon 

 ascensions, and this conclusion is growing among meteorologists. 



Mountain-stations are not fitted to give all the data required of them. 

 Their observations must in many cases be supplemented by records 

 taken in balloons and in many cases it seems desirable to do away 

 with the stations altogether and to depend solely on balloons. No 

 doubt a given sum of money expended in such ascensions would result 

 in a greater benefit to meteorology than if it were used to build and 

 maintain a mountain-station. 



Again, a mountain-observatory once established is fixed in position. 

 Balloon ascensions, however, can be made from any chosen spot, and 

 this constitutes a most important scientific advantage. 



The conclusions here very briefly stated with regard to the relati\-e 

 advantage of balloons over mountain-observatories hold good alst) for 

 observations made from kites, of which a Avord will be said. There can 

 be little doubt that future advances in scientific and in practical 

 meteorology (weather predictions, etc.) will be due in large measure 

 to observations made from balloons and from kites, and that the estab- 

 lishment of a large number of permanent mountain-observatories is to be 

 discouraged, both from a scientific and from a practical point of view. 



Kites for Scientific Purposes. 



Experiments with large kites, used singly or in tandem, have l)een 

 made and heights of several thousand feet have been reached. 



Self-registering meteorological instruments have been devised wliicli 

 are light enough to be lifted by this means. 



Wherever there are strong winds this method of investigation 

 promises to be as useful as it is simple and inexpensive, and with 

 skill kites can be raised to the upper winds through almost dead 

 calms below. Mr. W. A. Eddy has sent a single kite to about 1800 

 feet. At or before the time such an elevation is reached the string l)e- 



