REMARKS UPON METEOROLOGY. 



no longer able to support themselves. The lines which were 

 observed passing from the W were, however, a proof, that 

 there was still an upper current in this direction ; and it was 

 probable, from the little loss of weight which the atmosphere 

 had experienced, that this current would finally prevail. 

 The change took place in the afternoon, when the atmos* 

 phere exhibited an appearance of greater tranquillity than 

 it had done for many days. For a few hoursthere appeared 

 nothing to disturb the equilibrium, but the formation of a 

 wreath of clouds, composing an arc from NW, indicated a 

 current of air passing from that quarter, which, by its 

 greater density, would probably rush into our region, and 

 produce a new constitution. The state of the next thirty- 

 six hours might be considered as the immediate effect of 

 this NW current, although with us it assumed a westerly 

 direction. There was a cold breeze, large clouds were fly* 

 Log along, which were dense and disposed to dissolve, eva« 

 por-Uion went on rapidly *, and I was much inclined to pre- 

 dict a favourable state of the weather, when on the evening 

 of the 12th, the distant mountains were observed to be 

 transparent, affording a pretty certain indication, that the 

 w'md would change to a precipitating point, and of course a 

 strong presumption of rain. The following day was accord- 

 ingly precipitating in a high degree; the atmosphere rapidly 

 deposited its water, and the air rushed in to supply the par- 

 tial vacuum that was thus produced. 



On the 1 4th a constitution of the atmosphere took place, 

 for which I was not prepared ; a highly dissolving current of 

 air proceeded from the E. As is the case with a positive E Positive E 

 wind, the air soon became clear, and the weight of the at- wind » 

 Biosphere considerably augmented, but, according to a 

 popular observation, which I believe to be very generally 

 correct, a continuance of this state was not to be expected, 

 both from the circumstance of its coming on so hastily, and 

 also from its having been so immediately preceded by a S 

 wind. The tufts that were observed, particularly those Tufa, 

 after the change, confirmed this opinion, for as they proba^ 



* I have heard it remarked by old people, that, when evaporation goes 

 on rapidiy, the streets drying quickly alter rain, more rain will soon fol- 

 low ; and I have fiequeuily found it so. C. 



bly 



