There is no doubt that opposed weather states exercise stimulating and irritating influences, on the one hand, and enervating and inhibitory influences, on the other hand; but it is not clear that this is due to a difference of electrical potential. It remains to be shown that heightened electrical potential acts as a nervous tonic and irritant. The theory assumes that heightened winds and sunshine increase the potential; but meteorologists tell us that the potential is independent of both the direction and the velocity of wind; and that the more intense the sunshine the higher the temperature, and the purer the air, the lower is the potential (14). It is apparent that these conclusions go counter to the theory demanded by Dexter’s empirical findings (except in the case of humidity uncomplicated by fogginess), and that a more satisfactory basis of explanation is to be sought in the bio-dynamic properties of the sun’s rays, especially of the blue and ultra-violet rays. These rays dilate the blood vessels, increase the hemoglobin, increase anabolism, transpiration, irritate the skin, stimulate and vitalize nervous, muscular and mental action, and augment the potential reserve, working force and functional efficiency of the individual. If this is true it is clear that bright, sunny states while they increase misdemeanors and crimes in unstable individuals, also--and this is more important--energize the human organism. On this theory the damp, dark, smoky, foggy days are depleting and depressing just because (at least so far forth) they are lacking in the tonic, health-giving rays of the sun. The investigations cited above indicate that these weather conditions actually are in the main devitalizing, depressing and inhibitive of action, and that they, therefore, decrease breaches against law and order. These conclusions do indeed seem to be justified by the rather incomplete statistics of violence which are available from the various cities of the country. Thus, Table V, statistics of homicide, show that there is no increase in the frequency of murders in the cities whose atmosphere is supposed to be surcharged with smoke and where, accordingly, depleting weather conditions obtain. TABLE V. HOMICIDE STATISTICS FOR 31 AMERICAN CITIES. 1901-1910. 1911. No. Rate per No. Rate per 100,000 100,000