Morning journal and courier., 1880-06-14
PROF. TICE's THEORY.

The important climatic changes which have taken place on this continent during the last twenty five years have naturally led to much speculation concerning their causes The al legged shifting of the Gulf Stream, the de- struction of forests and direct modification of solar influence are among the reasons as- signed for the meteorological phenomena that puzzle the oldest inhabitants and make them distrustful of the weather lore of their youth and middle age. These theories are interesting and more or less plausible, but the theory of Prof. Tice (the well known me- teorologist), which has lately been put forth, is quite interesting and plausible as any of them. He begins his explanation with the premise that there has been a fearful increase of tornadoes within the last twenty years, and thinks it no exaggeration to say that the increase has been fivefold within the last quarter of a century. This has not been due to an augmentation of physical energy, which is a constant quantity. The change must therefore be due to increased facility for ac- tion traeeable to definite cause, and Prof. Tice says: 'sThe great physical changes that have been wrought by man within the last udll C6AbuEy upon our cOlGl00nG, Dy covering it with network of railroads and telegraph wires, are, in my opinion, sufficient to ac- count for the great climatic changes that have taken place within that time''
 Prof. Tice holds that all meteorological phe- nomena-wind of every kind, cyclones, cloud formation, rain, hail and snow falls, etc. are caused by electricity, and to show the in A,,o 0f,. 1., aJ,
 making climatic changes he instances the changes which have taken place in the climate of the western plains, the ''Great American Sandy Desert" as it used to be called fifty years ago, since railroad and telegraph lines have stretched across it. Its former climate was excessively dry and it's soil sterile Now rains are frequent and abundant and the soil is very fertile. The weather philosopher comments upon this fact as follows face of the earth beneath it must be in such a condition that it can obey the electric in duction of the positive cloud upon 1t so as to confront it with the negative. Instantaneous ly communication will be established between the earth and the cloud A dry and sandy soil cannot respond to the electric induction of clouds. Hence no clouds drift over it without immediately dying for want of sus- tenance. Railroads and telegraph lines obey ing such induction, instantly bring the needed electric charge underneath the cloud. The clouds are fed and abundant rains fall in re- gions that were deserts before.n As strik- ing incident of these changes which conduce to universal good, comes the partial evil of tornadoes very vigorous manifestations of electric power These, for the most part, follow the lines of railroads and do most damage to those buildings which stand near est the greatest number of tracks.
 There are many facts which can be urged in support of Professor Tice's theory If it is true we may expect, with the increase of railroads and telegraph lines which is sure to come, still more peculiar weather, includ- ing more tornadoes. This is not pleasant prospect, but perhaps when all or nearly all the railroads and telegraph lines are buik we shall at least have more settled weather