432 On Jolly’s Hypothesis as to the Cause of the Variations 
Now, if this supposed mechanism of oxidation is not consis- 
tent with observed facts, the theory that the atmosphere within 
the tropics sometimes shows a deficiency of oxygen produce 
by the preponderance of processes of oxidation over those of 
reduction must be dismissed from consideration. My own 
knowledge is far from sufficient to enable me to assert that the 
hypothesis is disproved by facts already observed. But I may 
mention some of the points in which the theory may be com- 
pared with facts capable of easy observation, or perhaps already 
observed. Those who are familiar with observations on the 
chemistry of sea-water will be able to judge whether the hy- 
pothesis is not overthrown by these facts thus compared. 
In the first place, if the supposed process of oxidation is the 
actual process, it must obviously be about as regular and inva- 
riable as the motion of rivers and ocean currents. vigorous 
withdrawal of oxygen from the superincumbent air must then | 
go on constantly within certain areas of the ocean. Whenever 
a volume of air is becalmed over such an area, so that the 
en, 
when air is exposed long enough to oxygen-absorbing water to 
lose 0005 of oxygen, it does not gain a noteworthy amount oF 
earbonic acid. Now if the carbonic acid produced is thus re- 
tained, the water of some parts of the equatorial seas must be 
very abundant in carbonic acid. There must be a gradual 
diminution toward the poles; and further, within all moder- 
ate latitudes, there can be no equilibrium between the tension 
of carbonic acid in the air and that of carbonic acid in sea- 
