APRIL 11, 1907 | 
October.—An isothermal zone occurred at about 11,500 
metres, and an inversion between 1900 metres and 2000 
metres. The minimum humidity was exceptionally low, 
being 9 per cent. at 4640 metres, and at the highest point 
(13,971 metres) 13 per cent. 
November.—At 12,798 metres the temperature was 
—53°0 C.; an inversion commenced at about 10,500 
metres. 
December.—At the maximum height, 11,935 metres, 
the thermometer read —51°-1 C. An isothermal zone com- 
menced at about 6660 metres, and continued, with some 
fluctuations, until the bursting of the balloon. 
January.—The greatest height reached was about 16,545 
metres; temperature, —62°-3. An inversion commenced at 
about 12,360 metres. Humidity, 19 per cent. at about 
13,000 metres during the descent. 
February.—The minimum temperature (—62°-o C.) was 
also recorded at 13,994 metres during the descent. An 
isothermal zone occurred between 15,346 metres and 17,073 
metres (temperature, —62°-0 C.); an inversion then set 
in; at the maximum height (18,472 metres) the thermo- 
meter read —57°-5 C. 
These isolated observations confirm the general exist- 
ence of a stratum of air having a considerable increase of 
temperature, usually between 10,000 metres and 15,000 
metres, referred to by Prof. Hergesell, M. Teisserenc 
de Bort and others, and the opinion that it constitutes a 
distinct current in the upper regions of the atmosphere. 
PHYSIGS IN THE UNITED 
STATES.* 
TERRESTRIAL 
[NX the first of the publications described in the foot- 
note we have an investigation of the figure of the 
earth as determined by operations in the United States. 
The deflection of the vertical at each station, due to all 
known topography within 4126 kilometres of the station, 
has been computed. Least-square solutions, based on all 
the observations, were made (1) on the supposition that 
the earth is rigid; (2) solutions on the hypothesis of 
isostacy corresponding to three different assumed depths at 
which the isostacy is supposed complete; (3) a similar 
solution on the usual hypothesis, that there is no relation 
between the observed deflection and the topography. 
The authors direct the attention to the ‘“ particular 
method of attack,’’ first, of those whose chief interest 
is in the figure and size of the earth; secondly, of those 
who believe that the condition of isostacy exists; and, 
thirdly, of those who may, for any reason, have positive 
belief that cannot be reconciled with the existence of 
isostacy ; inviting an investigation of the methods used. 
Isostacy is thus defined :—‘‘ The excess of material re- 
presented by that portion of the continent which is above 
sea-level will be compensated for by a defect of density 
in the underlying material,’’ the ocean being regarded as 
a defect of mass, and the corresponding compensation as 
effected by an excess of density in the underlying material. 
The conclusions reached have been :— 
(1) For the United States, the equatorial radius of the 
earth is 6,378,283 metres; the polar semi-diameter, 
6,356,868 metres; the reciprocal of flattening, 297-8. 
(2) Extreme rigidity is far from the truth. Isostacy is 
a comparatively close approximation. The States are in 
the main “buoyed up, floated, because of deficient 
density.” 
The isostatic adjustment made use of in the report is 
simply 6h=—6,h,, where h is the height of the surface 
above sea-level, 5 its density, h, the depth of compensa- 
tion below sea-level, and 6, the defect of density, h, being 
1 (r) ‘Geodetic Operations in the United States, 1903-6. A Report to 
the Fifteenth General Conference of the International Geodetic Associa- 
tion."’ By G. H. Tittman and John F. Hayford. Pp. 45. (Washirg‘on: 
Government Printing Office, 1996.) 
(2) “The Geodetic Ev'dence of Isostacy, with a Consideration of the 
Depth and Completeness of the Isostatic Compensation. and of the bearing 
of the Evidence upon Some of the Greater Problems of Geology.” By John 
F. Hayford, C.E. (Proceedings of the Washington Academy of Sciences, 
May 18, 1906.) Pp. 40. (Washington, D.C.: Published by the Academy, 
1906 ) 
NO. 1954 VOL. 75 | 
INCA C Cie 
5%3 
assumed a constant for each of the solutions in (2). This 
assumption is, of course, a crude one, though it facilitates 
the calculations; but it is sufficient to bear out the main 
contention that isostacy must be taken account of in 
determining the figure of the earth, and that the hypo- 
thesis of rigidity is untenable. 
In the second of the above publications Mr. Hayford 
gives a general summary of the results of the survey as 
regards isostacy. He tells us that the evidence shows 
clearly and decisively that complete isostatic compensation 
within a depth of seventy-one miles is near the truth. 
The main impression which he endeavours to make upon 
his audience is that the earth is ‘‘a failing structure.’’ 
The idea that the permanence of continents is due to elastic 
expansion of all the underlying material, as viewed in the 
light of geodetic evidence, he regards as extremely absurd, 
““whereas the earth is apparently inelastic to a high 
degree, even near the surface, and is apparently failing 
continuously,’’ as shown by the ready adjustment of the 
figure to the effects of denudation. The author attributes 
the diminution of density beneath elevated regions to 
chemical changes, caused by increase of pressure, but there 
is no allusion in either of these publications to the theory 
due to Airy, and described in Clarke’s ‘‘ Geodesy,’’ that 
elevated tracts are hydrostatically supported by a_pro- 
tuberance of the crust, dipping down into a denser medium 
below—a mode of isostatic compensation much in accord- 
ance with the compressed condition of most mountainous 
districts. 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE. 
Ir is reported from Ottawa that the engineering build- 
ing of McGill. University, Montreal, was completely 
destroyed by fire on April 5, the loss thus involved amount- 
ing to 150,000l. 
Tne Carnegie Institute at Pittsburg is to be dedicated 
this afternoon, and the ceremonies in connection with the 
event will continue until Saturday, when honorary degrees 
will be conferred by the University of Pennsylvania on a 
number of the foreign visitors. The Times correspondent 
at New York states that the gift of 1,200,o00l. for an 
additional endowment and building fund for the institute, 
announced by Mr. Carnegie last week, makes the total 
sum given by him for the institute and for technical schools 
in Pittsburg more than 3,400,000/., while the technical 
schools can draw on him for 1,400,000]. more as money 
is needed. Mr. Carnegie’s total contributions to Pittsburg 
and Allegheny now amount to more than 6,400,000!1. So 
far as is known, his total donations for public purposes in 
America and Europe amount to the stupendous sum of 
33,300,000]. Of this total, 10,800,000]. have been given 
in the last four years. 
THe London University Gazette announces several 
courses of lectures for advanced students of science by 
university teachers. Among these may be mentioned 
eight lectures on ‘The Ancestry of Angiosperms,’’- by 
Miss Ethel Sargant, at University College, on Mondays, 
beginning on April 29. Nine lectures on ‘‘ Psychological 
Research in Schools ’’ will be given on Fridays, beginning 
on April 26; lectures i.—iii. and vii.-ix. will be given~ by 
Miss B. Edgell, lecture iv. by Dr. A. D. Waller, F.R.S., 
and lectures v. and vi. by Mrs. Reid. Four lectures on 
“The Pineal Sense Organs and Associated Structures in 
the Vertebrate Brain,’? by Prof. Arthur Dendy, on Tues- 
days, beginning on May 7, in the physiology lecture 
theatre, King’s College. Twenty lectures in protozoology 
at the Lister Institute, Chelsea, by Prof. E. A. Minchin, 
on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, beginning on 
Wednesday, May 1; each lecture will, when possible, 
be followed by exhibits of microscopic preparations illus- 
trative of the subiect of the lecture. Dr. W. N. Shaw 
will resume his lectures on dynamical meteorology on 
Monday, April 29, in the physics theatre, University 
College. The course will be continued on Fridays and 
Mondays until Friday, May 17, inclusive. 
