10 



ground are of porous stone of a grey colour, spotted with brown and 

 black, and analysis shows that they contain silica, iron oxide, 

 aluminium oxide, lime, and magnesia. 



Great satisfaction is expressed by French meteorologists by the 

 discovery of the permanent value of the Eiffel Tower for weather 

 observations. They are in fact as satisfactory as those obtained in 

 the Observatory on the Pic du Midi, the tiltitude being almost the 

 same, 'llie temperature is found to be far more even than on 

 terra firma, and while frost was experienced in the streets of Paris, 

 the observers on the summit of the Eiffel 'J'ower were enjoying a 

 warm breeze. The velocity of the wind is found to be about three 

 times as great as on a level with the ground, but whereas the wind 

 is usually most noticeable on the earth's surface from noon to 2.0 

 p.m., at great elevations it is strongest h'om sunset to daybreak, 

 and abates toward the noontide. 



The French have recently added captive balloons to their naval 

 equipment, and the Mediterranean squadron is now supplied with 

 one wliich can be raised or lowered at will. Lieut. Terpette found 

 that by ascending to the height of one thousand two hundred feet 

 all tlie details of the coast from Marseilles to Hyeres, and every 

 vessel within thirty miles could be clearly seen. And what may 

 prove of equal service in these days of submarine warfare, the sea 

 appeared to be trauspjirent to a depth of eighty feet. Thus, in 

 calm weather, all treacherous attacks from torpedo boats might be 

 effectually guarded against. These small balloons, which are made 

 of China silk, arn very strong, and resist the action of the wind. 

 They are made at Chalais Mendon. 



A new submarine boat has been invented for the Italian Govern- 

 ment by Siguor Balsamello, and from the preliminary experiments 

 it appears to lie highly successful. The unique feature in this new 

 vessel is that its form is spherical (balla nautica, as it is called), 

 and it can be steered in a direct line, either on or below the surface 

 of the water, and it can also be turned with ease. It is fitted with 

 lenses, so that those in the vessel can not only see their way, but 

 can discover any submerged article they may wish to bring to the 

 surface. The exterior of the vessel is provided with grapnels, 

 which can be worked from the interior. On the trial trip a large 

 beam with weights attached was thrown overboard from an adjacent 

 boat. The submarine boat sank after it, and shortly re-appeared 

 with the beam, which had been seized by the grapnels. It is hoped 

 that much sunken and valuable cargo may thus be rescued by this 

 and similar vessels, and it is also thought that submarine photo- 

 graphy may be practised by this means. 



In our own country the first steam lifeboat was launched last 

 year, and made a most successful trip. She is named after the. 



