46 [June, 1841. 



city, that the burning of the prairies in Wisconsin and Mis- 

 souri, is frequently, and almost immediately followed by rain. 

 This observation had been confirmed to Dr. King by other 

 observers ; and in the western country it had become a popu- 

 lar impression that a prairie-fire was the forerunner of rain. 



Dr. Coates had met with a statement in Nichols's History 

 of Leicestershire, which bore on the same question; viz. that 

 in the reism of one of the Stuarts, orders were sent to a sheriff 

 of Staffordshire to discontinue the burning of Ferns during a 

 Royal progress, because the operation was usually followed by 

 rain. 



Mr. Phillips adverted to the memorable hail-storm which 

 occurred immediately after the last great fire at Constantino- 

 ple ; the fact being fully authenticated by Mr. Walsh and 

 Commodore Porter. That rain is common in South America 

 after the burning of the Pampas, is familiar to meteorologists ; 

 and the attention of the members is especially solicited to this 

 inquiry, in order that a more extended series of facts may be 

 collected and compared. 



MEETING OF BUSINESS, June 29, 1841. 

 Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. 



REPORTS. 



The Corresponding Secretary read his report for the last 

 month, which was adopted. 



The Botanical Committee made the following report, 

 which was ordered to be printed in the Society's proceedings. 



