14 On the Effects of Unequal Refraction at Bridlington Quay. 



haps, be accounted for, from a remarkable and sudden change in 

 the temperature of the air. The cool weather of the preceding 

 spring had continued down till the beginning of June. The sea, 

 even near the coast, was, in consequence, at its winter tempera- 

 ture, whilst the air became quickly heated, by the fervent glare 

 of an unclouded sun. When, therefore, the air near the surface 

 of the earth became greatly warmed, the stratum immediately 

 in contact with the sea was chilled by its coldness, whereby me- 

 dia of unequal density and refracting power were produced. 

 And through these unequal media, the rays of light both from 

 the shipping and the Holderness Coast, had to pass to the eye of 

 the observer, an uninterrupted surface of water, in all cases, ly- 

 ing between the objects and myself. The passing of the rays of 

 light, at an extremely small angle, through these different stra- 

 ta of different refracting powers, would sufficiently account, on 

 the principles already referred to, for most of the phenomena 

 observed. 



BRIDHNGTON QUAY, 1 

 December \. 1826. } 



