THE PHYSICAL BASIS FOR THE GENERAL CIRCULATION 
pirical study of the general circulation is becoming a 
matter involving vast amounts of data properly and 
purposefully organized in order to be useful for the 
systematic evaluation of various specific and well-de- 
fined processes over long periods of time. It is being 
undertaken piecemeal by various institutions to an 
extent determined by their financial resources and fa- 
cilities. In the initial stages of such exploratory 
activities it is probably most desirable that there should 
exist diversified direction of individual small-scale proj- 
ects of this nature. However, once the best general 
patterns for such research have become apparent, a 
number of considerations point to the desirability of 
more consolidated effort. Thus some central organiza- 
tion could perhaps offer the advantages of a long-term 
program, more economical operation, better facilities 
such as high-speed computing equipment and better 
availability of computed results. Such an institute could 
even be of an international character under the aus- 
pices of the United Nations, since the purpose would 
indeed be of global importance in a very literal sense. 
Beyond the broad recommendations just set forth, 
the writer wishes to state his belief that periodic re- 
views of progress such as the ones contained in this 
volume should be planned by appropriate organiza- 
tions in an effort to stimulate comparison of differing 
opinions and to bring forth suggestions. Another matter 
of somewhat similar nature is the periodic publication 
of selected reprinted papers, adjudged to be of funda- 
mental importance, in the form of collections similar 
to those edited by Cleveland Abbé [1] several decades 
ago. A practical problem here would be the selection of 
a capable (and so to speak disinterested) editor. 
Finally a word about certain philosophical and theo- 
retical aspects. In a science such as meteorology in 
which the rational explanation of the most gross fea- 
tures is still to be found, much attention must be given 
to questions regarding the general techniques for in- 
terpretwe research in order to ascertain if possible the 
ones which are suitable. In any well-developed science, 
as for stance physics, it is often possible to arrive at 
new results by purely deductive means. However, it 
must be granted that the more fundamental scientific 
achievements of an interpretative nature have usually 
stemmed from the deliberate introduction of new physical 
hypotheses. Such hypotheses are usually the direct prod- 
uct of creative minds who through sufficient insight 
are able to recast a given problem into a new form. 
Although such formulation of novel hypotheses is per- 
haps the most difficult task confronting a scientist, we 
cannot afford to dispense with it in any attempt at 
understanding the motions of the atmosphere at the 
present time. 
Without the use of creative imagination to give it 
form, our science could easily become a repetitious 
accumulation of bits of petty dogma, a jargon of catch- 
words and sophistries, a species of scholasticism lacking 
a firm basis or unifying principles. We need men with 
vision and courage who would not be content in oc- 
cupying themselves with odd bits of research, but would 
tackle the fundamental problems. Men who have some- 
549 
thing of the spirit of daring which prompted Newton 
to propose the theory of universal gravitation and 
Einstein to suggest anew the quantum character of 
radiation. 
Much of what has been said in the last two para- 
graphs has a direct bearing upon the use of mathematics 
in meteorological research. To regard the fundamental 
problems of meteorology as purely mathematical ones 
is hardly warranted. It is true that many of the hydro- 
dynamical and physical principles involved are capable 
of mathematical statement, but it is only through the 
leaven of some purely physical hypothesis that we are 
guided to the appropriate mathematical use of these 
principles. 
As stated previously, present-day meteorology may 
be thought of as being in the Keplerian era. It finds 
itself, however, side by side with very much more ad- 
vanced physical sciences in which research is carried 
on with the aid of very sophisticated mathematical 
and theoretical tools designed for the purpose through 
the laborious efforts of past generations. Although much 
may be gained by borrowing certain of these techniques 
where proper analogies have been established, still there 
are certain philosophical pitfalls which arise when this 
is done merely in slavish effort at imitation without 
proper caution. Such superficial efforts are sometimes 
entered upon in order to gloss over the prerequisite of 
clear physical thinking. We cannot telescope the evo- 
lution of a new science by omitting essential phases of 
its natural development. We cannot hope for a magic 
carpet which would carry us directly from Kepler to 
Einstein, eliminating the growing pains of Newtonian 
mechanics. 
REFERENCES 
1. Asst, C., “‘The Mechanics of the Earth’s Atmosphere. 
A Collection of Translations by Cleveland Abbé.” Third 
Collection. Smithson. misc. Coll., Vol. 51, No. 4 (1910). 
2. Bercrron, T., ‘Uber die dreidimensional verkntipfende 
Wetteranalyse. I.’”’ Geofys. Publ., Vol. 5, No. 6 (1928). 
3. Cuarney, J., and Entassmn, A., ‘‘A Numerical Method for 
Predicting the Perturbations of the Middle Latitude 
Westerlies.”” Tellus, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 38-54 (1949). 
4. Hapuey, G., ‘‘Concerning the Cause of the General Trade 
Winds.” Phil. Trans. roy. Soc. London, 39: 58 (1735-36). 
(Reprinted in [1, pp. 5-7].) 
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(1949). 
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