The Atmosphere. 53 



in equilibrium, and also in contradistinction 

 from that vast flood of active fluid which fills 

 the solar cone-space. 



Extent and Character of this Influence. 



The whole globe and its surrounding at- 

 mosphere are vast reservoirs of this static 

 fluid. These, interacting freely through 

 continuity, virtually become one in their oper- 

 ations. As a constituent of the atmosphere 

 this fluid is nearly uniform in its proportions. 

 Its varying conditions, as positive, negative, 

 and neutral, form a marked peculiarity. 

 Changes from .one to another of these 

 conditions, over larger or smaller areas, 

 are affected with marvellous rapidity, and 

 with varying and sometimes with striking 

 results. 



In the extremes of atmospheric tempera- 

 ture, this fluid is found to exist in the ex- 

 tremes of its positive and negative condi- 

 tions. The contrast is by some supposed to 

 exist in the seasons of winter and summer, 

 in proportions as 13 to i, (heretofore re- 

 garded as quantitive). 



