lO 



HA RD WICKE'S SCIENCE- G OSSIF. 



until about 2.45 p.m., then decreasing, and towards 

 9,30 P.M. backing ngain into the land-wind. In all 

 cases the velocity of the sea-breeze was much greater 

 than that of the land-breeze. The mean direction of 

 the wind for the three months was N. 28° W. with 

 a mean velocity of 6*i miles per hour, (2) 

 Barometer.— Rise and fall slight and very regular, 

 1st minimum about 3.28 A.M., 2nd minimum, 3.33 

 P.M., 1st maximum 9.50 A.M., 2nd maximum 9.40 

 P.M. The general mean height was 29*952. The 

 mean height of the barometer was higher in January 

 than in December or February. (3) Temperatures. — 

 Maximum temperature of air at 1.30 P.M., minimum 

 at 4. II A.M. The general mean for the three months 

 was 77 '8' The lowest temperature, 68. i, was regis- 

 tered at 4 A.M. February 2nd, and the highest 95° at 

 2.30 P.M. February 28th. The coolest time was the 

 last fortnight of January' and the first fortnight of 

 February. The maximum temperature of the sea- 

 water (in the harbour) was at 5h. 34m. p.m., and the 

 minimum at 7h. 45m. A.M. Mean temperature for 

 the three months was 81 -6, and mean density 1-0265. 



(4) Vapour tension. — Mean for the three months 

 0750. It is interesting to note that in December 

 and February there were double daily maxima and 

 minima. In January one daily max. and one min. 



(5) Relative Humidity. — Mean for the three months 

 79*2; maximum about 4. 13 A.M., and minimum about 

 2 . 22 P.M. ; in summer this is very low. (6) Clouds. — 

 Mean amount for the three months 4*7 ; ist maxi- 

 mum at 7.35 A.M., 2nd maximum at 7h, 51m. P.M. 

 1st minimum at ih. 20m. a.m., 2nd minimum at 

 ih. 49m. P.M. The most common form of cloud was a 

 middle layer stratus generally moving from a S.S.E. 

 point, the low clouds, chiefly of the cumulus type, 

 came with the wind, and the cirrus forms from a S. W. 

 point. (7) Rainfall. — For December, was i-oinch, 

 rain falling on 6 days ; for January, was i • 8 inches, 

 rain falling on 14 days, and for February, the record 

 was unreliable, rain falling on 7 days. Observations 

 with the spectroscope gave in the majority of cases 

 valuable indications of approaching wet, though from 

 the almost constant appearance of the rainband on 

 seacoasts or at sea, it is more difficult to estimate the 

 relative value of the band there than it is at inland 

 places. (S) Black-bulb thermometer. — Mean height 

 for the three months was 109-1. (9) Weather. — 

 Generally fine, though this is likely to be interrupted 

 in the winter season by heavy rainfalls of short 

 duration, and hard squalls accompanied by lightnin"- 

 and thunder, and great variations in the direction and 

 velocity of the wind. 



From a commercial point, Massaua is only useful as 

 being the best port forthispart of Africa, for although 

 it would be possible to cultivate the land (an event 

 which would take place naturally in time) yet it 

 would require an immense and continual outlay for 

 irrigation. 



In conclusion, my thanks are due to the gentlemen 



who so kindly assisted me in naming my specimens^. 

 particularly to Mr. Bauerman, of the Geological 

 Museum, and to Mr. Boulanger and Mr. Waterhouse 

 of the British Museum, South Kensington. 



David Wilson Barker. 

 66 Gloucester Crescent, Regents Park. 



SHORE HUNTING. 

 Common British Sponges. 



SURELY nothing can be more enjoyable than 

 v/hat I have termed above "Shore Hunting," 

 on a sunny summer's day. With its aid the sea-side 

 visitor may rid himself of that sea-side enmd which 

 comes to all those who go away for a month or so 

 from the labour and interests of business or profession, 

 and neglect to provide themselves with the where- 

 withal to occupy their liberated energies. 



"Pardon, my' lord," says the monk in Hypatia, 

 " of sitting, as of all carnal pleasure,'cometh at length 

 satiety," and the same might be said of that endless 

 routine of sea-gazing, watching for the steamer, in- 

 specting the hotel register, and the like, with which the 

 sea-side summer visitant interests, or tries to interest, 

 himself. The fallacy of the gospel of idleness is so 

 patent, and is so continually being demonstrated, that 

 it is wonderful how the superstition of it clings so • 

 firmly amongst us. The man who complains of being . 

 overworked and says he will go down to some quiet 

 little watering-place and have a good spell of doing 

 nothing, finds himself stranded, after a couple of days,- 

 with only himself for company, and very poor com- 

 pany at that, and is compelled to fall back upon the 

 latest novel which he endeavours to read in the sun 

 on the beach, getting a headache in consequence. Your 

 other, and more sensible individual, willing to make 

 his peace with the mammon of unrighteousness, goes to ■ 

 ' one of the more crowded resorts, where, by the aid of 

 stuffy billiard rooms, many calls for refreshment, 

 ! with much strong tobacco and a minimum of genuine 

 ! open air sea-side life, he, at any rate, succeeds in 

 ' keeping himself occupied and interested, and so is 

 I the healthier and better for his outing. The logical 

 [ outcome of which is that a mild dissipation, though - 

 I a low form of pleasure, is better than complete lack 

 ' of interest. 



The physiology of the matter is simple enough. 

 For the greater part of the year, perhaps eleven 

 months out of the twelve, every hour is occupied, and 

 the whole nervous organisation is kept on the stretch. 

 On the other hand, we have a condition where life is 

 devoid of interest or excitement, living, or better 

 vegetating, at the lowest possible pressure. It re- 

 quires a special training to become habituated to 

 either condition, and once so habituated, the change 

 from the one to the other is impossible, and the 

 attempt to make it harmful. 



The characters of the holidays of the man of leisure, 



