I should like to preface what I am about to say with a word of explanation for the title of the present paper. The title was chosen for me by your much respected Secretary, and I merely acquiesce. The title has a charm for me, realizing how important it is for the elucidation of the many problems held in keeping for us by our atmosphere, that full advantage should be taken of balloon ascents, wherever and whenever opportunity offers, for enhancing our knowledge of the ocean of air at the base of which we live and move. Considering how popular ballooning has been now for more than a century, it is surprising how few of the ascents have been made for really scientific purposes and how few have yielded scientific results.

For general service in aërodynamic experimentation two kinds of anemometer may be useful, one measuring air velocity, the other air pressure. Sometimes the velocity alone is required; again the pressure, either static or impactual, is mainly to be determined.

In either case an accurate and faithful instrument is most desirable. Of course the impact can be calculated from the velocity, and vice versa, providing all the data are at hand for computing the density of the moving fluid. But when many exact determinations have to be made, it is well to evade such calculations by choosing the appropriate anemometer; that is to say, a velocity instrument for measuring velocity, and a pressure instrument for measuring pressure, or impact. One thereby saves much labour, and avoids tho errors that may result from misreading the elements of density.

It gives us great pleasure to have this opportunity of submitting and explaining to you a specially constructed airtight car which we have designed for the purpose of reaching high altitudes.

In the past many attempts have been made to reach great heights in open cars for the purpose of making scientific observations and experiments, and from these experiments it appears that the only difficulty which has been grappled with is that of the insufficiency of air for respiration purposes. To overcome this difficulty the general plan has been to take up in bags or other receptacles a supply of oxygen.

As no attempt, however, has been made to overcome the great inconvenience suffered by the occupants of the balloon, due to the exceedingly low pressure at these high altitudes, these many attempts, in spite of the oxygen supply taken, have been fraught with great inconvenience and danger.

The day is undoubtedly drawing near when we shall be utilising the highway of the air for travel, and it is becoming an interesting question as to what form the motor car of the skies is to take.

A great number of abortive attempts to produce a practical apparatus have thrown considerable light on the prospects. During the last few years we have seen a great development in the construction of navigable balloons, and, in my humble opinion, these many attempts have only shown clearly what immense difficulties have to be contended with, and how little hope there is of our attaining any real success in this direction.