558 transactions of the american institute. 



Coal Oil Gas. 



The city of Quebec, Canada, is now lighted by gas made entirely from 

 coal oil. 



Meteorology. 



The subject for the evening was here taken up, when Mr. J. Disturnell 

 read the following paper: 



The subject of meteorology is of great- interest wlien considered in rela- 

 tion to the wonderful effect of climate on the animal and the vegetable 

 kingdom. 



The difference in temperature between the equator and the north and 

 south poles of the earth, is marked by five grand climatic divisions, viz: 

 the Frigid, the Cold, the Temperate, the Subtropical and the Tropical or 

 Equatorial Zones. The subject, however, to be presented at this time will 

 relate to meteorological observations of the atmosphere at high elevations, 

 also of the temperature of the earth at great depths, showing the great 

 variations in heat as we ascend or descend from the earth's surface. Over 

 our heads is to be found a cold stratum of atmosphere. This stratum 

 descends from the altitude 18,000 feet at the equator to the earth's level at 

 the arctic and antarctic circles, where perpetual frost or snow prevails. 

 Recently a series of observations have been made, to which I wish to direct 

 your attention. 



Balloon Ascensions in Great Britain. 



Under the auspices of the British Association for the advancement of 

 Science, eight balloon ascensions have been recently made by Mr. Glaisher, 

 the well known meteorologist, in th5 vicinity of London. The object of 

 the ascensions was to determine the temperature of the air and its humidity 

 at different elevations up to five miles; to compare the readings of an 

 aneroid barometer with those of a mercurial barometer up to five miles; to 

 determine the electrical state of the atmosphere, its oxygenic condition by 

 means of ozone papers; to determine the time of vibration of a magnet on 

 the earth and at different altitudes; to determine the temperature of the 

 dew point by Daniell's dew point hygrometer and Eegnault's condensing 

 hygrometer, and the dry and wet bulb thermometer as ordinarily used, and 

 by their use when under the influence of the aspirator, so that considerable 

 volumes of air would be made to pass over both bulbs at different elevators 

 as high as possible, but particularly up to those heights where man may 

 be resident or where troops may be located, as in the high lands and plains 

 of India; to note the height and kind of clouds, their density and thick- 

 ness at different currents in the atmosphere, if possible to make observa- 

 tions on sound; to note atmospherical phenomena in general, and to make 

 general observations. 



In an ascent on the llth of July, 1862, a height of 26,000 feet was reach- 

 ed, and in the descent a mass of vapor of 8,000 feet in thickness, was pass- 

 ed through, so dense that the balloon was not visible from the car. At 

 starting, the tempprature of the air was 59 degrees Fahrenheit; at 4,000 

 feet 45 degrees, and descended to 26 degrees at 10,000 feet, or about three 

 degrees to the 1,000 feet, and then there was no variation of temperature 

 between this height and 13,000 feet. During the time of passing through 



