November i6, 1899] 



NATURE 



57 



dition which might be considered in some way the cause. 

 We cannot suppose that bad breakfasts or whippings or 

 the disappointments common to child hfe would bear 

 this constant relation, so look for it elsewhere. Wherever 

 found it must be considered valid. But it must be some 

 factor which would be a part of the environment of all 

 the children similarly affected. We have sought it in 

 the varying conditions of weather, with what success is 

 shown by the curves which form the basis of our 

 discussion." 



These curves or diagrams are not so conclusive as the 

 author seems to think. We have no proof that a legit- 

 imate application of the calculus of probabilities has been 

 attempted. We cannot estimate the amount of variation 

 exhibited by particular instances from the general inter- 

 polatory curve. In a word we cannot understand how 

 the numerous observations have been combined, so that 

 the unavoidable irregular errors have the least possible 

 effect on the result. Further, these diagrams, or at least 

 some of them, present another difificulty. To take the 

 first figure which exhibits the effect of weather on the 

 deportment, the class and mechanical work of boys and 

 of girls in schools of various towns, and of boys and girls 

 combined, in Colorado. The abscissa line is divided 

 into eight sections of equal length defined by the weather 

 conditions — hot, cold, wind, calm, storm, muggy, cloud 

 and clear. Evidently there is no connection between 

 the several parts— no regular progression in such an 

 abscissa line. We cannot see, therefore, any reason for 

 joining the several points, of which five out of eight are 

 practically zero. But taking the author's interpretation 

 as it stands, which for reasons already given we are quite 

 prepared to do, this is what we learn. 



In climates similar to those of New York, deportment 

 and work are considered to be at their best on cold, 

 calm, clear days, irrespective of sex, and at their worst 

 on "muggy" days. In Colorado, calmness of the atmo- 

 sphere produces a desirable effect on the condition of 

 the pupils, wind exercises the most deplorable influence. 

 Deportment, which apparently plays a great part in these 

 schools, a fact which should rejoice the shade of the late 

 Mr. Turveydrop, is affected by weather conditions, more 

 in the case of boys than girls. This fact is explained by 

 one teacher on the ground that boys are under less dis- 

 ciplinary control than girls. Another adds that girls 

 " are greater adepts, not only at restraining impulses to 

 do mischief, but also in concealing all evidences of it 

 when it is in progress. This may be due to a greater 

 horror on their part of an open reprimand." The cogency 

 of this argument is not manifest, because the conse- 

 quences of detection are likely to be visited on the boys 

 with greater asperity than is covered by the term "open 

 reprimand." The knowledge that acute punishment can 

 and will follow conviction, should act as a deterrent and 

 suggest methods of concealment that defy the pene- 

 tration of the teacher. 



When we come to discuss the behaviour of children of 

 older growth, we still find the weather capable of 

 exercising a baneful influence on their conduct and self- 

 control, as illustrated by the number of suicides, 

 assaults, and the perpetration of grave crimes. With 

 regard to the morbid tendency disclosed in the mental 

 state that produces the first of these misdemeanours, the 

 author confirms the remark of Morselli and of others, 

 who have considered the statistics of suicide, that an un- 

 due proportion take place in May and the spring and 

 summer months of the year. This fact, which is contrary 

 to the commonly received opinion, Mr. Dexter explains 

 as arising not merely from a depleted vitality, produced 

 by the exhausting influence of the cold of winter, but 

 also by the " conscious or unconscious contrast of the 

 recognised low condition of vitality with the exuberance 

 of energy and life in the rejuvenated nature about, making 



NO. 1568, VOL. 61] 



one that is weak feel that the struggle against the re- 

 sistance to life and progress, in competition with a world 

 so virile, is hopeless." This remark is perhaps more in- 

 genious than convincing^, but if any considerable space of 

 time is supposed to elapse between the contemplatior* 

 and the completion of the act, it seems useless to tabulate 

 the number of suicides with the height of the barometer 

 and the humidity of the atmosphere, quantities that are 

 continually varying. 



It is of interest to notice that the number of assaults 

 increases pretty uniformly with the temperature, or it 

 would be more correct to say with an excess of temper- 

 ature. Given a hot day in the spring or autumn, and 

 our pugnacity rises in an alarming manner, though in 

 the hot days of summer this quarrelsome mood is not so 

 aggressive. The author concludes from the arrange- 

 ment of his facts that the effects of heat up to a certain 

 limit are vitalising in their tendency, while at the same 

 time irritating ; but above that limit, heat is so devitalising 

 in its effects as to leave hardly energy enough to carry on a 

 fight. Sad to relate, the effect of heat upon ladies is greater 

 than on men; and this is shown not only by an increased 

 desire to fight, but also by evident mental unbalancing. 

 Whether one is the consequence of the other, or whether 

 both are to be traced to the greater sensitiveness of 

 women to weather conditions, is too thorny a subject for 

 masculine debate. But the tales that come from peni- 

 tentiaries and from those who have charge of the insane,, 

 alike testify to the irritating effects of increased temper- 

 ature. In this connection the author thinks that a study 

 of the record of profanity might yield interesting results, 

 but unfortunately he adds " inclination alone will at least 

 get no one into the police court," so that numerical data 

 are wanting to discuss this phase of the weakness of 

 human nature. It would probably be found that the 

 curve would not greatly differ from that of assault, and 

 it would certainly be comforting if we could shift the 

 responsibility of our deviations from rectitude to such ar> 

 impersonal agent as the weather. In our own ignorance 

 we were rather tempted to attribute these lapses fron> 

 good conduct to too free an indulgence in alcoholic 

 beverages in the warm weather, but the author with far 

 greater familiarity with the subject traces them to a 

 much deeper source to be found possibly "in the de- 

 pletion of the cell structure," or " in acceleration of the 

 oxidising processes of life," expressions which we can 

 only hope are as accurate as they are sonorous. 



It is no new question to seek the effect of weather 

 upon the moods and impulses of the population, but Mr. 

 Dexter has tapped a new source of inquiry when he asks- 

 what are the meteorological conditions which induce 

 clerks in banks, and we presume computers in general,, 

 to make mistakes in their work, and to offer up incorrect 

 answers. When the barometer is low, let us forswear 

 computations, but if the humidity be at the same time 

 small, it would be positively immoral to attempt to add 

 up a column of figures. The author explains this by the 

 fact " that the intellectual balance is more disturbed by 

 the increased electrical potential than is the emotional." 

 We are afraid to discuss this proposition, more especially 

 as we have overstepped the limits of space, but we must 

 find room to say that we respect the evident trouble and 

 care which the author has taken in compiling his results, 

 and to ask his pardon if our remarks have appeared too 

 flippant, when applied to a work which he has taken 

 very seriously. Some of his inquiries are not yet com- 

 plete, but we hope that he will continue them to the end^ 

 and leave his results in such a form that a more rigorous 

 discussion may be possible. By " rigorous " is merely 

 meant on recognised mathematical principles, m which, 

 one can see easily the relative " weight " which is to be 

 attached to the separate deductions, and the " probable 

 error" that accompanies each. W. E. P. 



