New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
IN WEATHER SCIENCE.

MODERN METEOROLOGY. An outline OF the Growth
ana Present Condition OF some of Its Phases. BY
Frank Waldo, Phi. D., 452 pages, with III Illus
trations. Imported by Charles scribner's sons.
Although meteorOiogy Is an infant among sciences
the establishment of bureaus for weather
f0recastlns In America and Europe within the last
twenty-five years has greatly stimulated research INTO
the mysteries and principles involved. DIR. Waidos
book Is not elementary or practical work, ike
Loomis's scott's, Abcrcromble's and Buchans, but
comprehensive, thorough and fairly well balanced
digest OF recent contributions to this dcpr eh' oi
knowledge. Ii Is summary rather than review
yet the critical faculty has been exercised to ad'
vantage and the product of his labors VIII Rave SUD
stantial value for years to come. The hr>t TWO OF
the six divisions OF the volume relate TO m"teoro'ga
literature and Instruments, the latter containing some
historical and descriptive matter regarding opSerVa-
tions. The closing chapter epitomlzcs Brucckhrrs
recent treatise thirty hveyear cycle IN chh1ae'
with some useful facts regarding the relations between
weather and plant growth. No mention Il made OF
the twenty-seven-day period observed by Buys Ballot.
Fritz and Others But this topic Is not yet in shape
for presentation in Il book like DIR. Wald0's. lie
deals with modern, but not future, meteorology
The three most important chapters Of the book
are those on themodynamcs, the general atmospheric
circulation and secondary motions, which last are
those incident the familiar high and low pressure
systems Of our daily weather maps. 1t will never be
possible to determine the soundness OF theory regard
ing the work Of heat In our air until the problems in
VOWED are investigated with the thoroughness and
mathematical precision Of Hertz, Ham, Won Bczold
and Won Hclmhoz. Those physicists deserve all the
sIace DR.. Waldo gives them. Ferrel's magnificent eX
position OF the laws governing the motions OF the
atmosphere whole receives due recognition
although the rcincments upon the Americans Work
by foreign investigators, and siemenss original
researches leading nearly the conclusions, are
treated with discrimination.
A warfare over the cause Of storm formations ana
progress, between believers In conflicting atmospheric
currents and the champions Of heat, local AMI re-
leased by condensation. has existed for nearly
century. Dove and E,py are now dead; ara tirir
views as originally put forth, are held by no well
informed meeoroogist today: yet il still remains an
open question whether the forces which produce Il
cyconc air-whlrl operate chiefly from without or
within. The argument is conducted at present in
better temper than formerly. and there is manifest
spirit of concession on both sides. Ferrcl though
looked upon as a partisan of the bcatand vapor
doctrine really effects a compromise. Davis. an
ardent Espyan and now disciple of the other school
admits that tropical cyclones probably their origin
10 thermal causes almost solely. and applies the upper
current theory only to the storms of middle latitudes
II was Ham who converted Davis and also persuaded
that gifted East Indian meteorologist the late Henry
Banford that he was in error but while the eminent
Aus,rians views cOrroborated in measure. by the
independent theoretical deductions of Won llelmhoz
the European mountan-top observations, which were
the basis OF Hams argument open TO more than
one interpretations as Professor IT. Allen azen. Of the
United states Weather Bureau has shown. Wlnlc, |
therefore, the drift Of opinion has certainly been
toward the upper-current theory, and Dr. Waldo has
gone with the tide ii needs TO be pointed out that the
discussion IS not yet ended.