The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-04-21
Climatic Changes.

The subject of climatic changes is one
which has been frequently and exhaust
lively discussed in late years. That con-
siderable changes in the meteorological
conditions are taking place is undeniable,
and it has been common custom to
assign the destruction of forests as one of
the most potent causes. In volume
| based on the work of the California geo.
logical survey, Prof. j. ID. Whitney
undertakes to controyert this theory.
He holds that all the phenomena are due
to general diminution of precipitation,
or rainfall, but assigns different cause
for this diminution. He says the amount
of moisture precipitated depends on
evaporation and evaporation depends on
| temperature and the extent of water
surface. After a considerable investiga-
| ton of the facts, he concludes that owing
to the wearing away of mountains and
the deposit of detritus in the edges of
water basins, with other causes, an ex-
pansion of continents or land area is
continually going on and the water area
being correspondingly diminished. This
narrowing of the water surface alone,
however, he considers inadequate to &C
count for the observed recent ''dessicca-
ton" or decrease of moisture and pre-
cipitation, He is inclined to the view
that the chief cause is loss of heat
by dissipation of solar energy In
proof of this he cites the geological
evidence of ancient warm climates in
Arctic regions. He has also made dill
gent search for proof of recent changes
of temperature corresponding to recent
diminution in precipitation. Without
placing any reliance on thermometric
observations, because, he says, the con-
| ditionS have not been constant, he claims
to have found circumstantial evidence
which is entitled to weight. This may
be briefly summarized in the following
The northern limit of the grapevine and
other cultivated plants is now found to
be further south than formerly; the
northern limit of human habitaton has
been crowded further to the southwark;
the people of Greenland and Iceland are
emigrating and find more difficulty in
the climate than of old; icebergs are null
tiplying in northern waters. Ii these
statements are aScertained to be really
facts they would certainly seem entitled
reconsideration, and may indicate more
rapid and thorough change in climatic
conditions than has been apprehended
by scientists. Prof. Whitney's work is
exceedingly Independent in its con-
illusions, and in many points is in
conflict with the views held by some
of the most eminent scientists. 1t
is, therefore, improbable that it will
be taken as conclusive or acknowl-
| Nv of hut So
theory has in it much that is plausible
and attractive, and which it will require
considerable research and investigation
of facts to controvert. Much of the
work is given up to the consideration of
the glacial era. Manifestly the theory
of continuous fall of general tempera-
ture is consistent with the prevalent be-
lief that the glacial period was one of
extreme cold, and the author shows con-
siderable ingenuity in combating that
assumption. 1t is shown that glacial
conditions require abundant precipita-
ton as well as low temperature, and
since a general fall of tempera-
ture tends to check precipitation by
preventing evaporation it should not
be predicated as the cause of the
glacial epoch. A higher general tenn
perature is quite as likely to be favora-
BILE condition for producing the demon
strated effects, he says, and this seems
reasonable, especially since it is fortified
with numerous observations of the Alpine
and Caucasian glaciers. According to
Prof. Whitney's theory there is likely to
be gradual increase in the price of furs
in this country.-St. Louis Republican.