The recent attempt made by some French aeronauts to reach
a great height above the earth, has not been productive of any particular scientific results. The balloon in which the ascent was made reached an altitude of over 20,000 feet without the occupants of the car experiencing any ill-effects, except a tendency to faintness on the part of one of them. When about twelve years ago a similar attempt was made, and the height of 25,000 feet was reached, it was with fatal results to three out of the four aeronauts. The success of the present experiment is explained by the allegation that the difficulties due to the rarefaction of the atmosphere only begin at an altitude of 23,000 or 24,000 feet. This view seems supported by the fact that in the Himalayas and the Andes, heights of about 20,000 feet have been on several occasions reached without any incon- venience. In such cases, however, the ascent has always been gradual. The ill-effects experienced in balloons are possibly due to the suddenness of the change.
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