133 EXPLORATION OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE 



On July 1 the kite was raised at 10 a. m. and not lowered until nearly 5 

 p. m. The wind was east-southeast, with a velocity of 15 miles, until 1 p. m., 

 when the ^'elocity fell to 11 miles, which was maintained until the end of the 

 flight. The day was marked by an unusual amount of cloudiness, varying be- 

 tween five and seven-tenths, mostly cumulus, with a few alto-cumulus. A light 

 scud occasionally passed under the kite. On several occasions the kite was en- 

 tirely obscured, being sometimes in the ])assing cloud and sometimes above it. 

 The greatest elevation attained was al)0ut "2600 feet at 12.23 p. m., with a tem- 

 perature at the kite of 09°, and a surface temperature of 83°. The atmos- 

 pheric pressure, as registered on the kite meteorograph, was 37.60 inches, and 

 at the surface 30.03 inches. It was with considerable difficulty that the kite 

 was maintained at the higher elevations. The tracings of the kite meteor- 

 ograph (see Figs. 3, 3, 4) show constant fluctuations, doubtless largely due to 

 frequent reeling and unreeling in attempts to increase the altitude of the kite, 

 but in a measure also to be attributed to variation in the strength of the wind. 



On the following day, July 3. the larger 9-foot kite was launched. The 

 wind was from the east-southeast, and unsteady, with a velocity varying be- 

 tween 8 and 10 miles per hour; the sky was from three to four-tenths clouded. 

 Not much was to be expected under these conditions. The greatest elevation 

 slightly exceeded 2500 feet. The kite was raised shortly after 3 p. m., and 

 lowered a little before p. m. The lowest temperature recorded at the kite 

 was 70°, with 8--)° at the surface: the pressure fell from 30.03 inches at the 

 surface to 37.00 iuclies at the higliest level. The same irregularities in the 

 meteorograph tracings are to be found in the records of this ascent as were 

 noted in the previous ascent. In fact this is a characteristic of all of the 

 tracings, which would seem to point to a rapid falling off in wind velocity 

 above a moderate elevation. 



The next ascent was attempted late in the afternoon of July 3, between 

 5 and 8 p. m. (Plate XVII, Fig. 1). A good strong wind was blowing from the 

 east-southeast, the weather conditions were unsettled, the cloudiness varying 

 from five to seven-tenths cumulus and cumulo-nimbus. A squall arose about 

 0.30 p. m.. with a short shower of rain, during whicli my colleague and myself 

 sought shelter in the clubhouse. The rain and squall lasted from ten to fifteen 

 minutes. The kite wire was carefully grounded, but small discharges of atmos- 

 pheric electricity were several times felt. We had no facilities for measuring 

 the potential. l)ut the shocks experienced now and then on accidental contact 

 with the wire were not severe, even on the approach of the squall. The kite 



