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writer goes on to say: "The direction of balloons which do not rise above the lower atmospheric strata is fixed by a simple meteorological law-the lower air currents always move in a direction tangent to the isobars, or lines of equal barometric pressure. In Fact, in overlooking irregularities caused by the unevenness of the surface of the earth on the winds, these curve above together, forming a vast whirl, which may cover at a given moment France, or even the entire continent. The whirl has its center in the point where the barometric pressure momentarily is lowest, and all around this cyclonic depression the winds in the Northern Hemisphere are sinistrorsol; that is, drawn in a direction contrary to the hands of a clock. Their direction thus coincides at a certain height above ground, with that of the isobaric lines, which generally have the form of large, irregular circles about the center of the whirl. "Duro, the aeronaut, started from Pau on January 22, 1906, and followed exactly the isobaric line marking, where the barometer stood at 764 millimeters, until he landed the following evening in Granada, Spain. Comete de la Vaulx in his Centaur, when he made his record flight, started from Paris on October 9, 1900, crossed France, Germany, and Poland, and after traveling about twenty-four hours landed in Little Russia, near Kief. During his trip he had followed the isobar running east and west over north Germany and central Russia, but, the meteorological configuration having altered by that time, he was carried along the line of the modified isobars toward Southern Russia. When Faur, the aeronaut, crossed from London to Paris in his remarkable flight of January 11, 1905, the isobar through London crossed the channel and passed close to Paris. "The centers of cyclonic depressions and the isobaric lines do not remain stationary, but vary progressively and more or less rapidly; therefore, we must take account in forecasting the path of a balloon of modifications of the winds, connected with the displacements of the centers of depression and with the deformation of the whirls especially if the flight is to last any considerable time. "These meteorological considerations explain easily the path followed by the two Wegener brothers, who now hold the record for length of time in the air. On April 6, 1906, at 8 a.m., they left Berlin in a balloon going north; the wind changed in the evening when they were over Denmark, carrying them to the south at a gradually accelerated speed; after being in the air for fifty-wo hours they descended in the suburb of Frankfort-on-Main. The same note may be made in regard to the direction of the contestants crossing the English Channel, in the James Gordon Bennett Aeronautical cup race on September 30 of last year, and regarding the baloon Milano, in which two aeronauts, Usually and Crespi, starting from Milan on November 11, descended at Aix-les-Bains, having profited judiciously by the meteorological situation to cross the highest points of the Alps." therefore, that the time is rips for the offering of a suitable trophy commemorating the conquering of the air by a heavier-than-air machine. As the Scientific American is the oldest journal in this country treating of science and the arts, its proprietors feel that it is fitting that this journal should be the first to encourage the development of the latest great invention-a machine that shall conquer the air. The proprietors have, therefore, decided to offer a valuable trophy for competition for heavier-than-air flying machines. The trophy is to be given under a deed of gifts to the Aero Club of America, to be competed for annually by both American and foreign inventors. The rules for the competition will be drawn up by a committee of the Aero Club and it is expected that the first competition will occur at the Jamestown Exposition, September 14, and will be for a flight of one mile or less in a straight line. The competition is to be progressive in character, that is to say, if the flight of the predetermined distance is accomplished this year, next year a longer flight will be required, or a flight of a mile with turns. In other words, the conditions of the yearly contests will be such that they will be just ahead of the art in order to induce inventors continually to strive improve and perfect their machines. Should any one inventor win the prize three times, it will then become his property.-[Scientific American. Enquirer Cincinnati O 14 April 1907. AIRSHIP --------- Race in Olympic Games --------- Is Part of the Program Prepared By British Association-Big Winning Mutual Pool. --------- SPECIAL CABLE TO THE ENQUIRER London, April 13.-Lored Desborough and Sir Charles Howard Vincent have been appointed English delegates to the International Olympic Games Committee, which will meet at The Hague on April 22. The principal subject for discussion by the committee is the program and regulations of the London Olympiad which is to be held in London in July, 1908. It has been practically decided by the British Olympic Association to have an airship race in connection with the games. Rev. T. deConrey Loffan, one of the heading members of the association said recently: "It is too early to go into detail. The arrangements will all depend on the possibilities of the airships that may be entered. The idea at present is to have a long-distance race, starting from the stadium which is to be erected at Shepherd's Bush." Work has been started on the ground at Shepherd's Bush, a beginning having been made with a racing track. The total accommodation for spectators, according to present plans, is 66,289, but it is hoped to enlarge the area so as to find room for at least 100,000. There is rejoicing in Wale these days. For the first time the Cymric Association football warriors nave won the international championship. Wales always have been dangerous at Rugby, but in the soccer games has heretofore rather taken a back seat. The tie game between England and Scotland, which, by the way, was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd, numbering nearly 75,000 people, left the Welshmen clearly in the lead this year, and there joy in the mountains in consequence. Former Premier Balfour, whose devotion to that ancient game written by the simple spellers "gowf" is notorious, took occasion recently at the opening of a new golf club over which he presided to deny the of repeated calumny that his favorite recreation is an old man's game. "Tis a profound error, this notion that gowf is not suitable for the young," he said. "In fact, unless you begin young you never enjoy the full glory of it." The receipts from the pari mutuels the French race course this year show marked increase, indicating a steady growth in the betting spirt among the French people. A recent win at St. Ouen track likely to encourage this sport. A 10-franc mutuel paid 1,403 francs, or something over 140 to 1. This is not a record, as last year at Maison Lafitte, a 10-franc ticket paid little over 6,000 francs.
