REDUCTION OF HUMIDITY DATA VON BEZOLD 



333 



Hence from the above given course of the average values of this 

 quantity (x) we may conclude, as to the values precipitated in the 

 individual strata of the atmosphere and thence, in connection with 

 the precipitation measured at the earth's surface, may conclude 

 something asi:o the average intensity of the vertical circulation of 

 the air. 



I have already remarked that 



/a J 



from the constancy of the mix- 

 ing ratio within any part of the 

 atmosphere we can with some 

 confidence draw the conclusion 

 that in that particular portion 

 no mixture of various kinds of 

 air has taken place. 



Conversely, rapid changes in 

 the mixing ratio as we pass 

 through different strata of air 

 show that there are present 

 masses of air having different 

 origins. 



The study of the mixing ratio 

 acquires increased importance, 

 in view of the circumstance that 

 the frequent occurrence of the 

 Helmholtzian billow clouds forces us to the conclusion that very fre- 

 quently strata of air of quite different temperatures and humidities 

 are flowing over each other, since the surest indications of the strati- 

 fication of the atmosphere are found in the numerical value of this 

 quantity. 



These remarks may suffice to demonstrate how desirable it is that 

 in the discussion of the results of balloon voyages the mixing ratio 

 should be regularly taken into consideration. 



Perhaps it may indeed be worth the trouble also to include it 

 in investigations into the humidity condition at the earth's surface 

 itself, since for equal vapor pressure the value of the mixing ratio 

 varies very nearly as the reciprocal of the barometric pressure. 

 So that the distribution of humidity at the earth's surface will in 

 many cases, by utilizing this element have quite a different aspect 

 from that obtained directly from the vapor pressure alone. 



R 



X 



fig. 53 



