THE MAGAZINE 



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NATURAL HISTORY. 



JULY 1833 



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Art. I. On certain recent Meteoric Phenomena, Vicissitudes in 

 the Seasons, and prevalent Disorders, contemporaneous, and in 

 supposed connection, tvith Volcanic Emanations. By the Rev.W. 

 B. Clarke, A.M. F.G.S. 



" As if in close committee on the sky, 

 Reports it hot or cold, or wet or dry ; 

 And finds a changing clime a happy source 

 Of wise reflection, and well-timed discourse. 

 We next enquire, but softly and by stealth, 

 Like conservators of the public health, 

 Of epidemic throats, if such there are, 

 And coughs, and rheums, and phthisic, and catarrh." 



Cowper's " Conversation." 



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Sir, 

 The title of this paper may be startling to those who con- 

 sider speculation as great an evil in science as in commerce; 

 nevertheless, I venture to put it forth, as exhibiting some 

 singular coincidences in juxtaposition, which, if unconnected 

 as parts of a whole, are yet interesting in their individual 

 character. 



I have been led to this undertaking by the peculiar nature 

 of the late mild winter, and present backward spring ; which 

 have been remarkable for unusual mutations, not of local, but 

 of universal, extent. One curious feature I have already 

 alluded to in this Magazine (Vol. VI. p. 157.), viz. the ex- 

 traordinary appearance of the toad. The date there assigned 

 is the 5th of February ; but I have since ascertained that the 

 lanes in this vicinity were filled with toads so early as the 

 1st of February. Now, in the table of indications of spring, 

 published by my friend Mr. Taylor (in Vol. II. p. 128.), the 

 earliest occurrence of the toad, between 1750 and 1771, is 



Vol. VI. — No. 34. u 



