Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-25
AN EVAPORATION GAUGE

local evaporation should be carefully noted.
Approximations BY a well known instrument
termed
AN EVAPORATION GAUGE
will always enable the meteorologist to fore
see the approach of the thunderstorm. When
the local Influence of heat suddenly raises
mound of vapor, as it were. into the elevated
regions, it is subject from the contguity OF an
intensely cold medium to extensive and COM
plete decomposition, and In these conditions
undoubtedly lies the true cause of the pro-
digious development of electricity manifested
on those occasions. Now let US glance at
few evaporation figures. These" (produc-
ing book ''are hFullbrook's. Now, here
is a day (June) in which the evaporation
gauge indicated 0.39 of an inch. The fol-
lowing day it was 0.28 of an inch; on the
next OLA of an inch. The corresponding
mean temperature of these three days were
81 degrees, 70.5 degrees. and 81 degrees re-
spectively. You see, therefore, that the heat
furnished no cause for the great decrease In
evaporation. But in the evening of the next
day occurred one of the most tremendous
thunder-storms on record, and explained the
extraordinary action of the evaporation
gauge:
AN storms are electric, and the evapcra-
ton and electrical condition of the atmos-
phere should certainly be registered AID re-
ported from each United States signal-service
station before the service can be made really
valuable in summer. In June, when the sun
Is attaining his greatest northern declinatlon
our atmosphere attains its maximum electric
charge. When local influences, such as ex-
cessive evaporation, set in, we have the con-
hicts of opposing currents of air of different
degrees of temperature and humidity, and if
the topography be favorable we have torn
ado In full blast. Yet Prof Brewer, of
Yale college, who spent many days in
studying
THE wALLINGFoRD TORNADO
last year, is reported as saying: No one
can tell what makes a tornado. There are
many theories concerning the cause. l know
of two hundred persons, each of whom has
a different theory. Lightning always plays
leading part in the disturbance. This is
certainly creditable exhibit for college
professor. The meteorological bureau of Cen
eral Meyer echoes Blower ignorance. 1t is
repeated on the cHi bOnO2 principle. Tor
nadoes, as Prof. Blaslus says, assume their
peculiar force at some deep descent or abrupt
ravlne, especially those running east and
west But In Kansas, at Wallingford, and
elsewhere, it ia always great and rapid evsp-
Grafton which occasions their exception.
They can actually be foreseen, and undoubt-
eddy, if scientific men set themselves at
work, their development might be prevented
by brisk cannOnading, say, or some other
equally effective device. They always follow
the waterways of the country, just as an or
binary thunderstorm will hug the bank of a
river, pouring torrents on one bank while the
other remains dry, or, at most, receives but
a few struggling drops. Water is an excel
lent conductor of electricity, and that all
storms are electrical is proved by the circum-
stance that they traverse the ocean between
this country and Europe In a comparatively
straight llne."
THE RECENT GREAT STORMS,
The foregoing views are presented to the
readers of the MercIry as being worth their
consideration, more especially in connection
with Mr.. Fullbrook' planetary theory. Cable
grams from Europe furnish details of another
terrible electric storm in England, accompa-
MED by great destruction of property, es-
peclally in the manufacturing districts of
Yorkshire. This storm, like that of three
days since, had shot straight across the At
lantic from cape Hatteras. The English adj
herents to planetary inauence-and there are
numbers of them-would probably behold IN
the storm the result of the gradual approach
of Mars to Saturn, assisted on
FRIDAY By THE MOON
in the same portions of the heavens. Those
who lcok forward with some interest to the
meteorological phenomena likely to evensuate
on the thlrtieth instant, and Eve or seven
days after that conjunction, will do well to
remember that JupItsr's position is in the
same quarter of the heavens, and not more
than thirty degrees distant from the two
planets named. Jupiter's influence may,
therefore, be reckoned on, IT attempting to
account for the extraordinary weather of the
present season on planetary theory.