New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-13
SIN And STORM,

A few weeks ago, in abiding to the expanding
field of the Signal Service, we suggested the
possibility that, before long, some of its in
yestigators would be required to take daily
observations on the condition of the surface
of the sun. From recent number of Nature
we learn that the developments of meteOro-
logical science are taking that direction more
rapidly than we anticipated. Over his own
signature Prof. j. Norman Lockyer-a name
of the highest scientific authOrity-propounds
bis belief in the coincidence of cycles of time
as to spots on the sun and storms and rainfall
on the earth. The terrestrial observations
on which these calculations are based were
made partly in the tropics and partly in
Australia. They consist of mathematical aver
ages of the frequency of cyclones and the
depth of rainfall at various stations during
long series of years. The rainfall cOmputa-
tons are presented at considerable length !;
and it may be here mentioned that in the tropics,
cyclones and heavy rains are apt to come
simultaneously. Placed side by side, the
tables of sun-spot frequency, of cyclones, and
of rainfall, rise to their maximum in certain
years and gradually sink to their minimum in
others, with coincidence that is very
striking if not convincing.
All the meteorological observations of recent
years have tended cOnclusively to demonstrate
that in the storms of any particular region,
great uniformity exists in regard to the path
pursued. These paths, thousands of miles long,
have been gradually mapped by sea and land,
until now, as soon as storms are signaled as a.
preaching us, their progress can be propht
sled many hours in advance of arrival. The
parallel between the study Of these movements
and of ocean tides has frequently been sug-
gested. In the case of the tides, there are GER
tain tendencies to accumulation at some locali-
ties and deficiency at others, and to accelera-
ton or retardation, that have been carefully
recorded. 1t is known for instance that q
tide of certain hight in the sea outside
will, within q certain number of hours, pile
up in the Bay of Fundy, 49,, 80, or GO
feet Of water. The moons motions and
the conjunction or opposition of the sun, have
lonc since been carefully tabulated for CEN
turv to come. OF course it is manifest that
with the two kinds of knowledge-of the effect
proper to the locality and the effect due to The
celestial influences-we can calculate the tide!
of any place for any hour in years to come
Hitherto we have had but one Of these kind
| of knowledge as to storms-the character
,tics of the locality in case storm is com
L. now, all signs point to the sun as tn,
insi there we shall acquire the other-tha
pace ', and hours when storms will come
oi Tue uSr result be attained it will adj
onoeiu 'nis striking of demonstrations {,
o VI Vi 'no 'nv'' t scientific discovery mus
tne sre"' run w" ''e of science alone. II
be pursued for the saA NV undertakinc tina
the man who despises 4 ;coIn thora oo,'I
is not what he calls "praOt ,n ohsor,o,;or,
be no more absurd pursuit thu. 49, =
upon sun spots. If such men 4, W. " .
such things, we can imagine.a "pra, nstrnno
.chuekling at the folly of Alderman "a =;
mer who for twenty years MAS point. ' -