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Figure 60.—Meteorological Balloon

Figure 61.—Typical Meteorographs

These balloons sometimes carry a small Chinese lantern at the end of the tail.

(b) A larger type about 8 ft. in diameter, carrying a meteorograph which, when the balloon bursts, floats down to the ground on a parachute about 3 ft. diameter; this will usually be found with a label addressed to finder and giving instructions as to its disposal. Typical meteorographs carried by these balloons are illustrated in Figures 60 and 61, the former showing a British instrument with parachute as it would be found after falling. Of the instruments shown in Figure 61 the two in the centre are British while those on the outside are German. The outer casings, from left to right, are made of celluloid, bakelised cardboard, aluminium and bakelised cardboard respectively. In all these instruments the meteorological elements are surrounded by aluminium shields.

The American meteorograph, also used with this balloon, is enclosed in a container measuring 8½ in. × 8½ in. × 4¼ in. and composed of rigid white cardboard having a glazed appearance. Protruding from the sides are several short wires of various colours and fixed across the top is a ¾ in. white webbing strap by which the instrument is attached to the parachute.

This balloon may also carry a device used in connection with radio-detection consisting of a light wooden kite-like framework the top of which is a square of about 3 ft. side, from the points of which strips converge to a point 2 ft. below