358 Considerations on the Lunar Halo 



These were written before your May number reached me; 

 and I am pleased to find your correspondent Mr. White 

 urging [p. 251.] attention to the subject of the science on the 

 part of your correspondents and the public. The formation 

 of a society [p. 251 . 305.]? or the revival of the one established 

 some years since, would further this object. — High Wycombe, 

 Bucks. May 3. 1836. 



Within the last few years meteorology has made consider- 

 able progress; a greater number of persons have directed 

 their attention to the subject, and their communications have 

 been more favourably received by the public : but meteor- 

 ology may be considered as yet in its infancy, and it has 

 many difficulties to contend with. Several of the phe- 

 nomena which are the subjects of it are too transient in their 

 duration, and too silent in their progress, to attract the notice 

 of any but attentive observers : the modification of clouds, the 

 accumulation of vapours, the extraordinary appearances occa- 

 sioned by refraction, with many others, are of these descrip- 

 tions ; and it is only during the raging of the tempest, the 

 fall of meteors, or such brilliant displays of aurora borealis as 

 that observed in November, 1835, that all classes hear, see, 

 and are impressed by, the wonders of creation as exhibited in 

 the heavens. It has been objected to the study of meteor- 

 ology, that it leads to no permanent or beneficial results; 

 and that all the prognostics recorded are uncertain as to their 

 events : but the forms of clouds, the actions of animals, and 

 the flight of birds, were the signs by which the ancient natu- 

 ralists judged of the changes about to take place in the weather ; 

 and succeeding observations have, in many instances, proved 

 the correctness of their opinions. The introduction of in- 

 struments, the invention of modern times, has altered the 

 mode of ascertaining variations in the state of the atmosphere ; 

 the Torricellian tube has enabled the husbandman to pursue 

 his labours more successfully, by its indicating impending rain 

 or returning sunshine; while the marine barometer is the 

 monitor that warns the seaman of the approaching storm : and 

 seldom has he to repent if he avails himself of the admoni- 

 tion ; but natural objects still claim the attention of meteor- 

 ologists; and, 



Among the Prognostics indicative of Rain, perhaps no one is 

 so certain as the Lunar Halo ; and to this I shall confine my 

 present communication. 



Your correspondent Mr. W. H. White (VIII. 501.) has 

 favoured us with his opinions, founded on observations con- 



