New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-27
AT THE TOP OF MONT BLANC.
AN OBSERVATORY BUILT UPON SNOW.
Paris, November /!

Paris, November 49,
Since the construction of the celebrated Effel
tower no public work has attracted so much gen.
eral interest as the observatory Mont Blanc. II
may be because of its inaccessibility the in-
accessible, less that the unattainabe, possesses
a supreme fascination for most men. IL may be,
however that the circumstances under which 1t
was built the difficulties that for a while handi-
capped both architect and engineer. and the pur-
pose Of the structure ITSELF have had great deal
to do with arousing public curiosity
Particulars have been learned from NJ Capus.
who recently appointed director OF the OBJ
servatory, and has just returned to Paris after .
stay of six weeks in his new glacial retreat. The
first trip was made for The purpose of getting
everything in readiness for the machinery and APP
paratus. Last year the builders were unable to
reach within thrty-eight feet of the solid rock
upon which they wished to found the observatory,
for the snow was so solidly frozen that it al
most impenetrable II thought reasonably
safe TO build the foundation in the snow if safely
imbedded, and the attempt has certainly been o
success.
The new building, which is about thirty-eight
feet in height rises above the snow only one-third
OF this distance. Undcrground-or TO speak 40
curately, under the snow-are the dwellings ana
the laboratories The ceiling Of the lower story
level with tne surface OF tle enoW. Ing
waiting-rooms for tourists and guides are also
down stairs, and the upper story is reserved exc
clusively for the observatory proper. The roof.
forming terrace, is surrounded by balustrade
and supports the heavy beams of the dome which
will shelter the telescopes and other Instruments.
An unusual architectural feature has been intro
duced into the construction Of the observatory.
1t rests upon ten heavy screws, and In case the
snow beneath should ever settle, IL can be made
TO retain constant and normal position. 10 IN
sure the covering Of as large surface as possible
with q wide distribution OF weight and good
resistance to the severe hurricanes OF the region,
it has been built in the form of pyramid.
Small dormer windows, provided with double
names of thick glass as eyes for THIS aeriai
tower and permit the carrying Of signals IN inc
direction OF the four cardinal points. Inc hues
and ventilation-pipes are OF copper ana are pr'-
tected on the outside by proper insulation do
n precaution against lightning. The wood used
has all been submitted TO freproof PREPARATION
and all the movable parts OF the apparatus ha'o
been rendered ncombustibe.
Anthracite coal will be used altogether. for at
that latitude it has been found 10 give of more
heat than any other variety. The extreme cold
does not often exceed 80 degrees below zero
and the thermometer when placed in the snow
ordinarily registers IL or IA below.
The whole observatory was made in sections az
Paris under the direction Of VI. Jansen. Inc
numerous pieces were then sent TO ChamouhiN
From Chamounx, which Is 1880 feet above the
level Of the sea, the pieces were transporter ny
easy stages to Rochers-Rouges on the backs OF
men. each carrying about fifty pounds Some OF
the carriers could easily have carried twice the
weight most of the way. The hardy mountaineers
are used 70 this kind Of work, and, although theit
backs are bent, they have great deal OF strehg."
and remarkable powers OF endurance rro"'
Chamounix TO the first stop the journey Is apous
four hours. while for the ascent between Grand
Nuets and Rochers- Rouges it takes the eXperl'
enced climber at least six hours. 1t was on the
road 70 the right and little below ROchers-
Rouces that the glacier Of Tito-Rousse was dis
covered fine cause Of the ST. Gervais disaster
Rochers-R ouces where the machinery and ap-
naratus are stored for the winter is at almost the
same altitude as the private observatory OF NJ.
yallot. which. being built on a peak, is exposed
10 all the currents and changing atmospheric con-
dtions This is the observatory that received sucn
liberal assistance from Baron Rothschild, Prince
Roland Bonaparte, VI. Leon Say, VI. Elhel ana
others.
NJ Capus will give his attention TO experiments
and observations in the lines OF physics, amman
and vegetable physiology, meteorology, astronomy
and sppctrum analysis IL: VIII nave 'h'Ai''y "'--
ooualed facilities for his work, well as the
favornq conditions Of a transparent and rarehed
atmosphere These observations will be made
between the first Of May and the last Of Noven,-
Der.
\ series OF experiments that will be OF unusual
int, rest 10 the scientific world, and undoubtedly
fascinating to the eNperln"ntcr himself VIII SHOW
the effects of rlrclied air in different degrees upon
tho organs Of different animals, as the cat do2.
rabbit carrier pigeon, etc IL Is SAID mat the
scientist has expressed regret that he cannos
accommodate a whole Noahs ark collection 10
his aerial laboratory. 1t has already been learned
that the cat i. one of the most sensitive or an
animals to cold and thin air, and 1t VIII De
difficult 10 keep one for any length OF time In
.uch an altitude \ cat which was carried INTO
the mountains short time ago by an enthusiastic
and ovor-devoted tourist soon persisted
NJ c. Capus won rcnOwn through ms eNpiord.
tions in Central Asia. We accompanied the lirSt
expedition Of Gabriel BOnvalot 10 the Panirs, ana
spent several months in the unfre1uerted p0r-
tions Of that vast plateau. He has known the
extremes OF temperature, having passed snyern
months in attitudes equal To that of llont Blanc,
where the thermometer sometimes registers 40
degrees below zero as well as in the tropics.
lie has made extensive explorations in Persia,
China, Turl<c.tan and Southern Asia. For young
man. NJ Capus has made (. remarkable record.
He has been one of the leading assistants az tho
Museum. and prepared n series of theses which
won for him the degree OF Doctor or NATURAL
Sciences in ono OF the leading universities For
a while he held a titulary position al Roln, bue
resigned TO Join the expedition 20 the famirA
II is said that the director il looking for VIDE
awake, intelligent companion 20 JOIN MIN as an
assistant, and aid in the researches II goes With
out saying that there will be scores OF volunteers