216 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 
‘ 
After all this comment on what a tornado is, the question arises, is there no: 
preventive? There would seem not, at least at this present state and power of 
understanding. We may, however, ameliorate the force and concentration of 
the storm by the abundant planting of trees, which will have a tendency to break 
the force of the storm. 
In conclusion, I would remark, or perhaps better, repeat, that the area of 
low barometer is the center and generating influence of the storm—the center 
toward which the winds from all quarters will blow, and the force of these winds 
will be in proportion to the intensity or lowness of pressure at this center of /ow. 
This area of low barometer is ever on the move toward the east or toward the 
advancing sun, and its motion, at least so far as we know on land, is never re- 
versed, although there is some probability of its changing its course on the ocean 
after passing off the land, as discussed in former papers. Butits course on the 
sea, at least after passing off our coasts, is at present unknown to us. We only 
know that the wind is always toward /ow, and that in passing off the coast, more 
frequently than otherwise, the wind after just having been from the southwest, 
comes out from the northwest. 
In order to fully explain this, we must have some stations out on the ocean ; 
either stationary, as a light-ship, or movable, as a steam vessel might be. When 
this can be accomplished, we can study the direction of /ow after passing off the 
coast; until then we can not be certain as to its location beyond what inference 
we may draw as to the direction of the wind. We do know that the wind is al- 
ways toward /ow, and furthermore, that tornadoes, hurricanes, or by whatever 
name we may call a storm,it always will be in the wake or track toward this cen- 
ter or area of low barometer, wherever it may be, and that a tornado is always in 
order after the passing of /ow. Fortunately for us, the conditions of nature are 
not always favorable to it; if they were, we should have them at least once a week, 
and sometimes oftener. 
What becomes us now is to carefully study out the course of Jow every time 
it passes over the country, note the conditions when a tornado occurs and when 
not. By careful noting of data, by and by we may be able at least to say when 
one will occur and when not, and as we advance in knowledge, we may, by the 
judicious planting of trees, or by other means not now plain to us, in a measure 
prevent their occurrence, or at least diminish their severity or intensity. 
AURORA BOREALIS. 
PROF. E. R. PAIGE. 
The cause of this singular phenomena has been a prolific subject of both sci- 
entific and unscientific discussion for many years. 
To the mind educated in cause and effect the canopy of night, lighted up by 
the dancing specter, presents a most alluring sight: while the unenlightened are 
