Dew: Does it Rise or Fall?

Abstract

DR. SIMPSON (NATURE, Oct. 12, p. 578) has misstated my view. It is clear that when I wrote real dew rises as vapour from the ground I referred to the source of the dew and not to the dew itself, and therefore regarded as vapour “it may be said” to rise. It was therefore unnecessary for Dr. Simpson to point out that dew is water and not water vapour. I have given some time to the study of dew, and though Dr. Simpson offers the generally accepted explanation of its formation, it is curious to observe how capriciously dew appears to deposit, some objects remaining quite dry on a dewy night, whilst others in close contact are covered with moisture.