Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The atmosphere in relation to human life and health. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.
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![over the equatoriiil region, and that a skjwcr movement of the upper air from soutliwest and west prevailed in autumn over the nortliern temperate zone. Investigation of tlie eurrents of the atmosphere at heights exceeding 40,000 feet is likely to lead to valuable results. Exploring balloons might even show the ultimate possibility of rapid communications between distant places by means of steady upper • currents. Part IV.—Subjects for liESEARcn. The following subjects for research seem likely to yield valuable results in connection with the welfare of man. The bearing of some of the points suggested may be slight or remote, but are not on that account altogether negligible: The topographical features of different countries in relation to cli- mate and weather, and a comparison of the effect on weather and climate of similar ])hysiographieal features and circumstances in dif- ferent zones and climatic areas. The intiuences of forests and cultivation on weather, on humidity, on atmospheric electricity, rainfall, thunderstorms, soil moisture, and the flow of rivers. The influence of the radiation from different soils and surfaces on climate, as, for instance, of grass compared with fallow, and of sand compared with rock and clay. The heat received by the soil from the sun in different climates and at different altitudes. The intensity of solar radiation at different latitudes and altitudes. The intensity of terrestrial radiation into space by day and night at different altitudes, and the temperature of small objects suspended at high altitudes in sunshine and at night. This might be obtained by exploring balloons. The temperatures of clouds of different thickness and different char- acter in their upper, lower, and central parts, and at a little distance outside them. The causes of the down rush and increase of horizontal movement of the air often observed before heavy showers find hailstorms. The dynamical and thermal consequences of the rising and falling of masses of air. The action of air in motion, or wind, on calm or stagnant air near tlieir bounding surfaces; the manner in which by friction and by impact inas^ses of air influence other masses whether at rest or in motion, and the effects of the collision of meeting masses of differeut specific gravity and humidity. The influence of clouds of various thicknesses and heights on the radiation from the earth's surface. The nature of the vapor or invisible water screen which often arrests radiation on clear nights.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21208724_0129.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
