But the refinements of the methods employed allow the diurnal variations both of velocity and altitude to be successfully measured.  The velocity observations confirm the results that have been obtained from mountain stations—­that, though the general travel of the middle and higher clouds is much greater than that of the surface winds, the diurnal variation of speed at those levels is the reverse of what occurs near the ground.  The greatest velocity on the earth’s surface is usually about 2 p.m.; whereas the lowest rate of the upper currents is about midday.

The diurnal variation of height is remarkable, for they find at Upsala that the mean height of all varieties of clouds rises in the course of the day, and is higher between 6 and 8 in the evening than either in the early morning or at midday.

Such are the principal results that have been obtained at Upsala, and no doubt they surpass any previous work that has been done on the subject.  But whenever we see good results it is worth while to pause a moment to consider the conditions under which the work has been developed, and the nature and nurture of the men by whom the research has been conducted.  Scientific research is a delicate plant, that is easily nipped in the bud, but which, under certain surroundings and in a suitable moral atmosphere, develops a vigorous growth.

The Meteorological Institute of Upsala is an offshoot of the Astronomical Observatory of the university; and a university, if properly directed, can develop research which promises no immediate reward in a manner that no other body can approach.

If you want any quantity of a particular kind of calculation, or to carry on the routine of any existing work in an observatory, it is easy to go into the labor market and engage a sufficient number of accurate computers, either by time or piece work, or to find an assistant who will make observations with the regularity of clockwork.

But original research requires not only special natural aptitudes and enthusiasm to begin with, but even then will not flourish unless developed by encouragement and the identification of the worker with his work.  It is rarely, except in universities, that men can be found for the highest original research.  For there only are young students encouraged to come forward and interest themselves in any work for which they seem to have special aptitude.

Now, this is the history of the Upsala work.  Prof.  Hildebrandsson was attached as a young man to the meteorological department of the astronomical observatory, and when the study of stars and weather were separated, he obtained the second post in the new Meteorological Institute.  From this his great abilities soon raised him to the directorship, which he now holds with so much credit to the university.  M. Ekholm, a much younger man, has been brought up in the same manner.  First as a student he showed such aptitude for the work as to be engaged as assistant; and now, as the actual observation and reduction of the cloud work is done by him and M. Hagstroem, the results are published under their names, so that they are thoroughly identified with the work.