Variation of Temperature between Spring and River Water. 533 



Adams, of Latymer's School, Edmonton, in 1820, when the 

 sun was eclipsed, on the 7th of September, and is referred to 

 by his son and successor, Mr. Charles Henry Adams, in his 

 letter respecting the late eclipse, and published in the Literary 

 Gazette on the 14th of May. Now, it would be very satisfactory 

 to learn, from other observers, whether such a change of tem- 

 perature was noticed by them; and, should the same variations 

 be found to occur during future eclipses, it might give reason 

 to conclude that such a reduction of temperature always takes 

 place at the greater eclipses of the sun. 



Much disappointment was very generally experienced at 

 the trifling decrease of light, many persons having anticipated 

 a degree of darkness approaching almost to that of night; 

 instead of which, small print might be read in rooms on the 

 northern side of the house with the utmost ease. The greatest 

 change produced by the eclipse, connected with light, was the 

 peculiar tinge given to every object : a thin haze appeared to 

 fill the air ; but it would be difficult to describe the colour of 

 the light, in which grey, faint purple, and pale orange seemed 

 to be blended ; and persons looking towards the sun appeared, 

 to those standing in an opposite direction, of a ghastly or ca- 

 daverous hue. The planet Venus was seen by the naked eye ; 

 and the darkness was sufficient to cause the domestic poultry 

 to retire to roost, and the rooks to return home : but all sallied 

 forth again when the eclipse was ended and the gloom had 

 disappeared. The tulips closed their cups ; but they did not 

 open until the next morning. Seldom has an eclipse been 

 seen under more favourable circumstances, the sky being free 

 from clouds during the whole time. 



Wycombe^ August 19. 1836. 



Art. VI. Observations on the Causes -which occasion the Variation 

 of Temperature between Spring and River Water. By J. R. 



The difference in temperature between river and spring 

 water, which gives rise to the query of your correspondent 

 Indigena (p. 491.), may be the result of many causes, the 

 principal of which is, however, without doubt, the interior 

 heat of the earth. It is a well known fact, that this heat 

 increases in a considerable ratio as we descend, making a 

 difference of several degrees between the temperature of the 

 earth at its surface, and at depths of 500 o r 600 ft. ; raising 

 of course, the temperature of all springs which have their 

 source at even moderate depths, and entirely securing them 



