MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORIES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 71 



comes too heavy to be lifted, and the method of using kites in tandem 

 consists in lifting the string of the first kite by attaching it to a second. 

 The string of the second kite can again be lifted by using a third, and 

 so on. With nine kites a maximum height of about 5600 feet has 

 been reached. 



In strong winds kites have many advantages over captive balloons ; 

 and at all times either kites or balloons have some important advan- 

 tages for meteorological observations over mountain-stations — particu- 

 larly over high mountains which are covered with snow. Such 

 stations are affected by exceptional local conditions. The snow itself 

 affects the surrounding atmosphere sent up from a valley near a high 

 mountain in a marked degree. A kite or a balloon would certainly ex- 

 perience different conditions from those prevailing about the mountain 

 summit. 



Again, mountains suitable for observing stations are not to be found 

 everywhere — whereas balloons and kites can be sent up from any 

 station. 



It ought not be forgotten that the first scientific kite-filying was done 

 by Benjamin Franklin so long ago as 1752. 



