held over for more mature consideration from the meeting of April 29, 1921. The following members of the Committee were present: Col. E. Lester Jones. Dr. G. W. Littlehales, Capt. F. A. Young, and Mr. F. G. Tingley (Chairman,) Dr. C. F. Brooks was also present by invitation. The Chairman presented letters from Mr. E. A. Beals, San Francisco, and Dr. I. M. Cline, New Orleans, members of the Committee, indorsing the resolutions proposed at the April meeting, copies of which had been sent them for consideration. After some general discussion motions were passed adopting the resolutions presented at the April meeting by Dr. Brooks, relating to an international program of work and a fund for scholarships and prizes in marine meteorology. The text of these resolutions, as well as of one relating to present status and future needs of marine meteorology, will be found above. The Committee also passed a motion, suggested by Mr. Beals, indorsing the resolutions on marine meteorology adopted at the First Scientific Conference of the Pan-Pacific Union, held at Honolulu in August, 1920, expressing at the same time a sense of appreciation and encouragement at the action of the Conference in this respect. These resolutions were published in the Oct., 1920, BULLETIN, pp. 114-115. It was further moved that the Committee recommend to the Council of the American Meteorological Society that if the resolutions proposed by the Committee should be approved by the Society that a copy of the same should be sent to the National Research Council accompanied with a request that the resolutions receive the careful consideration of that body and that the Society be favored with an expression of opinion on the desirability of carrying out the program therein proposed. The Committee also gave its approval to a suggestion made by Col. Jones that an effort should be made to hold at an early date a meeting of representatives* of the several lines of scientific investigation interested in the international program of work endorsed by the Committee; the Chairman was requested to arrange for such a meeting, if found practicable. The Committee then adjourned.-F. G. Tingley, Chairman. The minutes of the meetings of the Marine Committee were circulated among the members of the Council, and the replies received indicated that the majority were favorably impressed by the resolutions suggested. In view, however, of the consensus of opinion of the Weather Bureau members of the Council (printed below) it is deemed best merely to place these minutes and comment on record, and to withhold further action until the appropriate occasion, the import being that the whole question would be considered at some future meeting of the Council. In the meantime, the Budget Officer's recent approval of the very modest appeals of the U. S. Weather Bureau for the promotion of its marine work, makes the situation hopeful. The immediate need for increased ocean meteorological work will thus come before Congress.-Charles F. Brooks, Secre tary. The following is submitted as the consensus of opinion of the undersigned members of the Council of the American Meteorological Society regarding the subjects discussed. The members are in general sympathy with reference to the objects to be accomplished by the deliberations and resolutions of the Marine Committee, and hope that ultimately it may be practicable to realize the re *Names suggested were Major Wm. Bowie, Col. Jones, Dr. Littlehales, Prof. Marvin. Prof. Merriam, Dr. Ritter and Dr. Vaughan. sults in whole or in part. For reasons stated below it may not appear practicable the present time. to take definite action at 1. Resolutions of the Marine Committee relating to the present marine meteorological program of the Weather Bureau, accompanied by recommendations. (a) It is deemed to be inopportune to pass any resolution of this purport at the present time, in view of the financial situation confronting the Government and the present indefinite status of questions involving the Government budget and estimates to Congress for the coming fiscal year. (b) The form of expression employed in phrasing the preamble to the resolutions should, it is believed, be materially amended without modifying the intent. (c) The resolution that the Council urge upon members of the American Meteorological Society to do all in their power to secure the favorable consideration of Congress is not approved, and it is not believed the Council should put itself in any position of this character. 2. Proposed international program of work presented by Dr. Brooks. (a) This is a rather ambitious program, involving a very great amount of international coöperative effort which could only be successful under the constant attention and stimulus of some strongly organized central agency. It is not made clear how the difficulties involved in such an undertaking would be met or overThe undersigned believe the time is not ripe for pressing such a huge undertaking as this, and believe that better results would attend developing detailed features thereof and bringing up the matter at some future time. come. 3. The proposal to solicit outside funds for the purpose of granting scholarships in marine meteorology and for offering prizes for investigations, is a matter conclusions on which should be best arrived at from open discussion of the policy at a general meeting of the Council rather than by correspondence. It is believed the Council should withhold sanction of such a proposal until it can be very fully considered in all its bearings. 4. Relative to the resolutions submitted by Mr. Beals at the Pan American Congress, it is believed these have already been very broadly circulated and are sufficiently known to all scientists interested without further action of the part of the Council of the American Meteorological Society. C. F. Marvin E. H. Bowie PAPERS FOR THE TORONTO MEETING. The Secretary will be glad to receive, before Dec. 1, the titles and abstracts of papers to be presented at the Toronto meeting, Dec. 28-29. Authors should indicate whether or not a paper will be illustrated with lantern slides, and also state how many minutes will be required for presentation. Attention is directed to the following excerpt from a letter recently received from the Permanent Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science: Science Service is to have charge of the publicity arrangements at the forthcoming Toronto meeting of the American Association and associated societies. Dr. E. E. Slosson, Editor for the Service, is anxious to do all he can to give the Toronto meeting proper publicity, and he wishes to obtain, in advance, popular articles on the substances of the addresses and papers to be presented at the meeting. If the scientists will coöperate in this and will give Dr. Slosson these popular reports in advance, it will very greatly enhance the importance of our meetings from the viewpoint of the public. Science Service, as you know, is now well organized for this sort of work. Material for this publicity work should be sent directly to Dr. E. E. Slosson, Science Service, 1701 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D. C. The publicity aspect of our meetings has never been satisfactorily handled, it involves some of the most difficult, and at the same time the most important problems confronting scientists, and I am sure you will do all in your power to aid Dr. Slosson. Geology and Geography in the United States. By Edward B. Mathews and Homer P. Little. Bull. Geol. Soc. of America, Apr. 1921, vol. 32, pp. 1-22. (Reprint and Circular Series of the National Research Council, No. 17, price 20 cents.) This paper is of some interest to members of the American Meteorological Society, for included in the treatment of geographical instruction is a discussion of the number of institutions offering courses in meteorology and climatology. In the authors' remarks about the inadequacy of the supply of trained geographers may be seen a situation which is in a degree the same with respect to meteorologists. (Cf. "Enter: the consulting meteorologist," Bull. Am. Met'l Soc. May 1920, vol. 1, pp. 45-48.) Among the conclusions are the following: "The opportunities for training in geography are inadequate to supply the specialists demanded. In our educational system there is also an unfortunate break in continuity of instruction in the subject in high schools and colleges so that few become acquainted with its possibilities as a vocation. "The present lack of collegiate instruction prevents the presentation of the professional possibilities of geography and deprive students of a general training especially helpful in many fields of activity. "The productivity of the relatively few specialists in geography is great, covering a large range of subjects, without clear definition of the limits of geography towards other subjects, either as to method or matter. "Closer characteristics in this respect would help administrative educators to understand the advantages accruing from the establishment of courses in collegiate and university geography and their proper departmental association. "Research in geography is largely unorganized and individual, except in the field of exploratory expeditions." Of the 571 institutions of higher learning in the United States, only 43 were found to offer courses in meteorology and 17 in climatology. In a discussion of this subject at the joint meeting of the American Geographical Society and Association of American Geographers in New York last April, a most direct method of attack was pointed out. Professor H. H. Barrows said that fellowships and graduate scholarships are insufficient in number and require in some cases too much repaying work. Why not give awards and aids? For example, there is an honor scholarship of $150 in the Illinois State Normal School for a good student who would apply it on further work the following year. The criteria used in choosing the candidate are scholarship, personality and promise of usefulness. This scholarship was established by an individual on application. Obviously, it can be done in other states. In the University of Chicago a loan fund has been established for graduate students in geography. The first business man approached gave $5000, which at 6% gives $300 a year. It was used effectively in 1920-21. Such methods of helping worthy students in geography might well be considered for those specializing in meteorology and climatology.-C. F. B. NOTES ON THE AURORA. Greatest auroral heights ever determined. For several years operations have been carried on in Norway by Carl Störmer and assistants to ascertain the height of the auroral rays, which generally accompany great magnetic disturbances. Recently, with seven stations from 26 to 250 kilometers apart, photographs were taken of the aurora; also the angles were found between the stations and the aurora and various stars. From these data calculations showed the upper limits of the aurora to be over 500 kilometers above the earth. Individual computations gave values of 597, 550, 607, 562, 528, 485 and 519 km. altitude.-R. F. E. The aurora and magnetic storm of May 14-15, 1921, “was exceptionally noteworthy in two particulars; first, its accompanying earth currents caused the greatest demoralization to telegraphic communication ever recorded, and secondly it was seen in extreme southern latitudes with all the brilliance usually observed in the north." (H. Lyman). The display was observed over a large part of the earth, and was brighter in the tropics than perhaps any other aurora on record. At San Juan, Porto Rico (lat. 18° N.), "The sky in the north was brightly alight and seemed filled with golden haze. Five great bars of extra brightness, extending from the horizon to the zenith [!], starting from a common axis, with diverging arcs about equal, extended through the golden haze and gave a wonderful effect." Near Kingston, Jamaica (lat. 18°N.) there were "shafts of orange light .... reaching an altitude of 40°." On the other side of the equator, the aurora australis at Apia, Samoa (lat. 14 S.)," was an extremely brilliant display, as otherwise it could not have been seen at all in the moonlight, and it is also a very rare event to see this phenomenon in latitudes near the equator." Loomis, in his "Treatise on meteorology," 1885, mentions (p. 177–178) auroras of August 28 and Sept. 2, 1859 which were seen as far south as Jamaica, though apparently to not so high an angle in the sky. Auroras of early September, 1921. A series of almost daily auroras was inaugurated on the night of Sept. 1-2 by a magnificent curtain display, which at Silver Lake, N. H. (lat. 43.9° N.) covered the entire sky except for a segment about 15° high in the south at 2 a.m. (75th mer. time.) The motion was impressive. The gigantic folds of the curtains moved majestically as if in a moderate breeze, while wave after wave of light rose rapidly from the bases. The general lighting effect of auroral curtains is strongly suggestive of theater foot-lights shining on the folds of a great portiere.-C. F. Brooks. At the time of this aurora I was at [Seabrook Beach, N. H.,] making a series of determinations of the deviations from the great circle bearings of the European radio stations. Throughout the aurora no change amounting to more than 2° of arc was noted [in the wave-front from Bordeaux] and the intensity of the signal was found to remain practically constant.-Greenleaf W. Pickard. "LET US CHANGE THE OCEAN CURRENTS AND OUR CLIMATE." There seems to be a cycle in the activities of those who would change the course of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream to improve the climate of New England and the Maritime Provinces. Nine years ago Riker published his project for building a jetty 200 miles across the Grand Banks to divert the Labrador Current; and now the Sunday Herald (Boston, Mass., Aug. 28, 1921), following the lead of Popular Science Monthly, tells us that "Science [sic!] at last has a definite plan for bringing the nice, warm Gulf Stream to our New England coast. 1 Exemples de rayons auroraux depassant des altitudes de 500 kilometers audessus de la terre. Geofysiske Publikationer, vol. 2, No. 2, 5 pp., 2 pl., Kristiania, 1921. See Mo. Weather Rev., July 1921, vol. 49, pp. 406-409, and Science, Sept. 2, 1921, pp. 183-187. See Science, Oct. 7, 1921, pp. 329–330. RESULT-New England will have a climate like that of the Carolinas . etc. This drew the following letter (published in the Boston Herald, Sept. 1, 1921): TO THE BOSTON HERALD: Ocean currents and climates are ruled by forces too great for control by men. In general, this is enough of a reply to the many baseless statements and speculations in the full-page article "Turning the Gulf Stream to make our climate warmer," in the Sunday Herald, August 28, 1921. Let me add a few detailed comments. (1) The Labrador Current does not flow thru the Straits of Belle Isle-it could not go thru such a small strait. Therefore, no amount of damming this strait would have any noticeable effect on the Labrador Current, or, consequently on the Gulf Stream or on the climate anywhere. (2) Even if the current could be prevented by a 200 mile jetty from crossing the Grand Banks, as proposed by Riker in 1919, there is no good reason to believe that it would be turned eastward and northeastward across the Atlantic (as shown in a cut from the August Popular Science Monthly), because (a) ocean currents (as well as winds, projectiles and other moving bodies) are deflected by the earth's rotation to the right in the northern hemisphere, and (b) the cold, dense waters of the Labrador Current now largely dive under the less dense waters of the Gulf Stream, and could continue to do so. (3) Even if part of the Labrador Current could by some unthinkable means be prevented from moving down the coasts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and New England, there is no reason to suppose that the Gulf Stream would come in to this coast, for deflection due to the earth's rotation is continually turning it away from the coast and the prevailing winds are off-shore and tend to drive the warm, surface water continually out to sea. (4) Even, still more impossible, if the Gulf Stream did bathe our New England coast there is no good reason to believe that our weather would be moderated: it would probably become more extreme hotter and more humid in summer and colder and more stormy in winter. Aside from latitude, our climate depends largely on the directions from which the winds blow and their force. In summer our coasts have winds more or less on-shore, off the cool water. Substitute warm water, and they would have weaker and warmer on-shore winds and more of the hot land winds, for the sea-breeze would be weaker and less frequent. In winter the winds are prevailingly from the NW. Put warm water in our coast and the greater warmth of the air would make a greater flow of this cold wind off-shore. What the effect would be is shown now to some extent by what happens when the Gulf Stream is warmer than usual. During the first few months of 1916 this was the case, and New England experienced a snowy winter, which apparently has been equalled only three or four times in our history. The snow in southern New England lasted till the end of March. Why do you publish the opinions of "engineers" on questions of oceanography and climatology? Before publishing opinions on scientific questions why not find out if the men expressing the opinions are authorities in the fields touched on and if they are recognized men of science, e. g., included in the 1921 edition of "American Men of Science." Is there any reason why what is published in the Herald should not be scientifically sound? Yours truly, CHARLES F. BROOKS. NOTES. The importance of climatic and air conditions to the health of live-stock is not often mentioned. Yet according to a statement emanating from a representative of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (Elmira, N. Y., Star-Gazette, Apr. 7, 1921), much of the annual loss of $200,000,000 directly sustained through animal disease in the United States is preventable through proper attention to housing and climate. Thus: "Tuberculosis is one of the worst scourges among animals and it thrives best in damp, dark, ill-ventilated stables. It is less common among animals running at large. Light, dry, well-ventilated stables and |