398 



REPORT — 1886. 



Table YII. {continued). 

 Twenty-eighth Ascent (continued). 



The degree of humidity of the air increased from the ground to the height 

 of 500 feet ; from this height to 1200 feet the air was somewhat less humid, 

 and stUl less so at heights exceeding 1200 feet. At the height of 3400 feet 

 the degree of humidity was 57 only ; the air was again wet at 4800 feet, 

 and somewhat less so at heights exceeding 5000 feet. On descending, the 

 humidity of the air was more uniform down to the height of 3400 feet, and 

 below this the air was less humid than at the same elevations on the ascent, 

 and particularly at low elevations. On descending below 400 feet, I packed 

 up the instruments, for fear of the baUoon striking the ground ; at this time 

 the sun was setting. On ascending again, after sunset, the air was more and 

 more humid, and most so at 6300 feet ; and the same we found in the descent, 

 to the height of 600 feet, where the degree of humidity was 61, and it in- 

 creased to 68 on the ground. 



