Meteorology; or, Weather Explained by J. G. M’Pherson, Ph.D., F.R.S.E.,
Graduate with First-Class Honours, and for Nine Years Extension Lecturer on Meteorology and Mathematical Examiner in the University of St. Andrews; author of “Tales of Science,” etc.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The Formation of Dew
Chapter 3. True and False Dew
Chapter 4. Hoar-Frost
Chapter 5. Fog
Chapter 6. The Numbering of the Dust
Chapter 7. Dust and Atmospheric Phenomena
Chapter 8. A Fog-Counter
Chapter 9. Formation of Clouds
Chapter 10. Decay of Clouds
Chapter 11. It Always Rains
Chapter 12. Haze
Chapter 13. Hazing Effects of Atmospheric Dust
Chapter 14. Thunder Clears the Air
Chapter 15. Disease-Germs in the Air
Chapter 16. A Change of Air
Chapter 17. The Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms
Chapter 18. An Autumn Afterglow
Chapter 19. A Winter Foreglow
Chapter 20. The Rainbow
Chapter 21. The Aurora Borealis
Chapter 22. The Blue Sky
Chapter 23. A Sanitary Detective
Chapter 24. Fog and Smoke
Chapter 25. Electrical Deposition of Smoke
Chapter 26. Radiation from Snow
Chapter 27. Mountain Giants
Chapter 28. The Wind
Chapter 29. Cyclones and Anti-Cyclones
Chapter 30. Rain Phenomena
Chapter 31. The Meteorology of Ben Nevis
Chapter 32. The Weather and Influenza
Chapter 33. Climate
Chapter 34. The “Challenger” Weather Reports
Chapter 35. Weather-Forecasting
PREFATORY NOTE
I am very much indebted to Dr. John Aitken, F.R.S., for his great kindness in carefully revising the proof sheets, and giving me most valuable suggestions. This is a sufficient guarantee that accuracy has not been sacrificed to popular explanation.
J. G. M’P.
RUTHVEN MANSE,
June 10, 1905.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Though by familiarity made commonplace, the “weather” is one of the most important topics of conversation, and has constant bearings upon the work and prospects of business-men and men of pleasure. The state of the weather is the password when people meet on the country road: we could not do without the humble talisman. “A fine day” comes spontaneously to the lips, whatever be the state of the atmosphere, unless it is peculiarly and strikingly repulsive; then “A bitter day” would take the place of the expression. Yet I have heard “Terrible guid wither” as often as “Terrible bad day” among country people.
Scarcely a friendly letter is penned without a reference to the weather, as to what has been, is, or may be. It is a new stimulus to a lagging conversation at any dinner-table. All are so dependent on the weather, especially those getting up in years or of delicate health.
I remember, when at Strathpeffer, the great health-resort in the North of Scotland, in 1885, an anxious invalid at “The Pump” asking a weather-beaten, rheumatic old gamekeeper what sort of a day it was to be, considering that it had been wet for some time. The keeper crippled to the barometer outside the doorway, and returned with the matter-of-fact answer: “She’s faurer doon ta tay nur she wass up yestreen.” The barometer had evidently fallen during the night. “And what are we to expect?” sadly inquired the invalid. “It’ll pe aither ferry wat, or mohr rain”--a poor consolation!
Most men who are bent on business or pleasure, and all dwellers in the country who have the instruments, make a first call at the barometer in the lobby, or the aneroid in the breakfast-parlour, to “see what she says.” A good rise of the black needle (that is, to the right) above the yellow needle is a source of rejoicing, as it will likely be clear, dry, and hard weather. A slight fall (that is, to the left) causes anxiety as to coming rain, and a big depression forebodes much rain or a violent storm of wind.
