344 
. tial feature of Mendelism by showing segre- 
gation; and they are due to the action of 
more than one transmissible character.” 
A discussion of size characters is next taken 
up, including observations on numbers of 
rows of kernels on ear, height of plant, length 
of ear and size of seed. Studies of these 
characters are naturally beset with complica- 
tions, the results being often obscured by the 
influence of environmental effects. However, 
the experiments disclosed segregation with re- 
spect to these characters, and the conclusion is 
therefore drawn that size characters do men- 
delize. Perhaps the most important point 
in this connection is the suggestion that in 
such eases which have heretofore ordinarily 
been considered as continuous variations, we 
may actually have to do with a series of Men- 
delian factors in operation, naturally quite 
difficultly discernible on account of the com- 
plex polyhybrid ratios involved, the absence of 
dominance, and the obscuring effect of envi- 
ronmental influences. 
Part V. contains an account of a number 
of interesting abnormalities which arose 
among these various cultures. The appear- 
ance of several dwarf plants is described, but 
their significance is rather obscure, since no 
ratios were obtained. Bifurcated ears trans- 
mitted this abnormality as a dominant. In 
the case of striped foliage arising as though by 
mutation in some of these strains, the striped 
plants are considered to be heterozygous. 
Aside from the interesting content of the 
bulletin, the authors are to be congratulated 
on its general appearance and make up. It is 
well illustrated by 25 plates of excellent pho- 
tographie reproductions. The data are well 
chosen and, presented in very convenient ar- 
rangement. L. H. Sire 
NOTES ON METEOROLOGY AND 
' CLIMATOLOGY 
THE MOST NORTHERLY SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION 
THE weather observatory recently estab- 
lished by the Norwegian Meteorological Insti- 
tute at Spitzbergen, 1,100 miles north of 
Christiania, is the most northerly permanent 
scientifie institution of any kind in the world. 
SCIENCE 
[N. 8. Vou. XXXV. No. 896 
Meteorological data are communicated to the 
central office by means of wireless telegraphy 
via Green Harbor. The progress made at the 
observatory may be watched with interest, as 
it is hoped that the data there obtained will 
aid in European weather forecasting. The 
Norwegian project is separate and distinct 
from the German expedition, headed by Drs. 
Wagner and Rempp, which is now carrying 
on research in aerology and geophysics in 
Spitzbergen. 
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF LINDENBERG OBSERYVA- 
TORY 
THE report of the Royal Prussian Aero- 
nautical Observatory at Lindenberg for the 
year 1910 has recently appeared. As has been 
the case during several years preceding, upper- 
air investigations were conducted daily, with- 
out a single exception, throughout the year. 
The meteorograph was elevated by means of 
kites 459 times, and by means of captive bal- 
loons 211 times, the average height with the 
former method being 9,866 feet, and with the 
latter 9,898 feet, both of which are higher 
than the corresponding averages for any 
earlier year. Of 29 registering balloons sent 
up 27 were recovered, and the average height 
attained was 49,028 feet (9.8 miles). On Au- 
gust 20 the greatest height yet reached at 
Lindenberg was recorded, the barograph indi- 
eating a height of 82,138 feet (15.6 miles). 
177 pilot balloons carrying no recording in- 
struments were also sent up during the year, 
data of wind velocity and direction aloft being 
obtained from these ascensions. In addition 
to the aerological data, which are printed in 
detail, the report contains five papers prepared 
by various members of the observatory staff. 
WATER VAPOR IN THE ATMOSPHERE 
In observations with a telescope, bolometer 
or pyrheliometer the approximate amount of 
water vapor in the atmosphere is an important 
factor. The determination of this amount by 
spectroscopic methods is not very satisfactory. 
In order to simplify the evaluation. of this 
factor Professor W. J. Humphreys has ex- 
amined the data obtained in 74 balloon flights 
made on cloudless days. Conditions on. 
