316 EXPLORATIONS OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE. 



tlie branclie8 of a tree in a forest near Rosenthal, a little village of 

 Hesse, 400 kilometers to the north. The diagrams were uninjured, and 

 according to what M. Hergesell writes, it appears that they will give 

 information as to the results of insolation. The altitude attained was 

 12,000 meters, and the temperature observed was — 67°. The diagrams 

 will be published hereafter. 



M. Hergesell took part in the ascent of a mounted balloon which 

 ascended to the height of 2,500 meters. The descent took place near 

 Frankfort. M. Hergesell found that the temperature rose until the 

 height of 1,500 meters was reached. This effect was due to the action 

 of the sun, which warmed the air until that stratum was reached where 

 no vapor offered an obstacle to the action of its rays. After this the 

 lowering of the temperature was very rapid. 



At St. Petersburg. — The Government organized an ascent under the 

 direction of M. Porker, an officer of the aerostatic service. The descent 

 took place at Luban, in the government of Novgorod. 



The conclusion of this examination of the work of meteorologists in 

 the new line of researches in which the latter are engaged is thus 

 reached by the summarizing of the results obtained up to the present 

 time; and the high approbation given by the Academy of Sciences 

 shows what our opinion ought to be regarding it. We should applaud 

 these observers for resolutely leaving the rut of the beaten track and 

 for seeking by new methods to complete the observations made in 

 terrestrial stations scattered over the surface of the globe. There 

 remains to be gathered an abundant harvest of new facts, and the 

 explorers of the higher atmosphere may with reason hope that from 

 their work, continued over a sufficient space of time, there will arise a 

 new theory, generalizing all the phenomena that occur in the aerial 

 ocean, and enabling us to correctly forecast the weather and thus profit 

 all mankind. 



