5 a se ee ee oe ee eee hee 
ar eR, NS a apes tat aramee 8 ARG UTS oe ed iy een neta 
Inundations.—Hlectricity, 267 
This system has already worked for a month with entire regularity ; and 
when it shall have been firmly established and have received the sanction 
_ of time, M. Leverrier will undertake to extend the system to the neigh- 
boring countries. The concurrence of Belgium is promised, and we hope 
for that of England. Indeed, according to a recent statement at the Ob- 
servatory, the brother of the Austrian emperor and the Royal Prince of 
Sweden have promised to contribute all in their power to promote the ex- 
the cause. On the latter point there are two opinions, some attributing 
rain to hot vapors brought with the winds of Africa, others to the 
Gulf stream descending very low in the ocean at this time and saturating 
the air with moisture. Both theories consider the winds as carried against 
the Alps, there to precipitate their moisture in the state of rain; and it 
8 in accordance with this view that the part of Germany beyond the Alps 
to the south and east has suffered from drought. 3 
To these meteorological causes, supposing one or both real, we may add 
the clearing away of forests, the opening of canals, and the means used 
to facilitate the flow of waters, whence, a p of water makes a quicker 
the rivers and thence to the sea, than in the ancient times o 
to 
‘uncultivated France. The rivers consequently enlarge suddenly beyond 
_ Measure and commit ravages from which France periodically suffers. It 
Seems the duty of science then to combat the evils due partly to the pro- 
Stess of science. The organization of a system of meteorological ob- 
servations is one step towards this end. The inspection of the pluviome- 
ter may enable us to foresee by several days the increase of a river, like 
that at Lyons; and if placed about the heights, the telegraph may an- 
hounce six days in advance, a flood on the Saone, and enable the people 
to put the rivers in a state to carry off the excess of water and prevent 
t 
kices— The cost of helices of fine wire, and the limit of thickness to whieh 
the fine wire can be covered with silk for insulation, are two impedi- 
ents which M. Bonelli has sought to set aside by very simple means. 
He takes a band of paper of the height of the helix of an electro-mag- 
het, or of the correspondin of a galvanometer; this band carries 
Parallel to its edge, metallic lines a a’, 6 6’, ete., passing from one —_ 
ity to the other ; these lines, placed in the circuit, will give passage to the 
~ ‘extremities free, the current may be made to pass, either along 
'@ lines uni or in all of them at the same time and in the same 
direction, oa fare 
a 
