274 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXIV. No. 870 



front meteorologists can only be solved by- 

 observations of tbe higher air. 



In the early nineties the work of measuring 

 the heights and velocities of clouds was begun. 

 In 1894 the first systematic use of kites for 

 carrying self-recording instruments to great 

 heights was inaugurated at Blue Hill and in 

 more recent years, under the auspices of the 

 observatory, exploring balloons carrying in- 

 struments only have added much to the knowl- 

 edge of the conditions which prevail above us. 



In the earlier years of research at Blue Hill, 

 the achievement of dynamic flight seemed to 

 be in the dim and distant future, yet it was 

 safe to assume that it would come in time and 

 that when it came the aerial ocean must be 

 charted. 



We find a noble beginning of this new sci- 

 ence in a recently published work, " Charts of 

 the Atmosphere," written by Professor Kotch 

 in collaboration with Mr. Andrew H. Palmer, 

 one of his assistants at the observatory. 



The charts are twenty-four in number, each 

 being accompanied by full and clear descrip- 

 tive text. The list is here given: 



CHARTS 



1. Relative Heights, Atmospheric Density and 



Temperature. 



2. Average Temperature, Barometric Pressure, 



Wind-velocity and Pressure up to 30,000 

 Feet. 



3. Maximum "Wind-velocities and Pressure up to 



30,000 Feet at Blue Hill. 



4. Wind-pressures for Constant Velocities up to 



30,000 Feet. 



5. Wind-pressures for Constant Velocities up to 



10,000 Feet. 



6. Monthly Temperatures up to 12,000 Feet at 



Blue Hill. 



7. Monthly Wind-velocities up to 12,000 Feet at 



Blue Hill. 



8. Hourly Wind-velocities up to 10,000 Feet at 



Blue Hm. 



9. Frequency of Constant Wind-velocities, 1,000 



to 10,000 Feet at Blue Hill. 



10. Frequency of Winds at Blue Hill, 650 Feet. 



11. Velocity of Winds at Blue Hill, 650 Feet. 



12. Frequency of Winds at Blue Hill, 1,650 Feet. 



13. Velocity of Winds at Blue Hill, 1,650 Feet. 

 .14. Frequency of Winds at Blue Hill, 3,300 Feet. 



15. Velocity of Winds at Blue Hill, 3,300 Feet. 



16. Frequency of Winds at Blue Hill, 6,600 Feet. 



17. Velocity of Winds at Blue Hill, 6,600 Feet. 



18. Frequency of Winds at Blue Hill, 10,000 Feet. 



19. Velocity of Winds at Blue Hill, 10,000 Feet. 



20. Wind-velocity and Direction up to 13,000 Feet 



at St. Louis. 



21. Winds at Various Heights as Belated to Baro- 



metric Pressure at the Ground. 



22. Frequency of Winds in the N. E. Trade Eegion 



of the Atlantic Ocean. 



23. Velocity of Winds in the N. E. Trade Eegion 



of the Atlantic Ocean. 



24. Aerial Eoutes in Summer across the North 



Atlantic Ocean. 



The author writes in the introduction: 

 " The charts, which are believed to be the first 

 of the kind adapted to the use of airmen, 

 relate only to portions of the United States 

 and the Atlantic Ocean, but they will doubt- 

 less be perfected by aerologists and extended 

 in the near future to other parts of the globe." 



Man ever seeks new lines of research and 

 new regions to explore. So fascinating is the 

 quest that it seems certain that Professor 

 Eotch's expectations wiU be realized and that 

 this work will be carried on by others in all 

 parts of the world. 



Even a brief study of this book of charts 

 makes it clear that the work is the result of 

 long-continued thought and of great labor. 

 The various schemes of charting are brilliantly 

 ingenious and original. It should be under- 

 stood that these charts deal with the average 

 conditions and not the actual ones which have 

 to be faced on any given day. 



The charts enable the aviator or aeronaut to 

 foresee approximately the wind and tempera- 

 ture conditions that he will encounter aloft at 

 any season of the year. With their aid the 

 aviator may learn to what altitude he may 

 safely ascend in regard both to his motor and 

 to his bodily comfort, what winds are the 

 prevailing ones for cross-country flight and 

 at what levels they may be found. 



The aeronaut may plan his journey from 

 the wind charts, and in connection with a 

 daily weather map go at will on either a long 

 or a short excursion. Indeed, near the coast, 

 it is shown that a free balloon may travel a 



