$a THEORY of RAIN. 



"PART 11. 



The Theory of Rain applied to natural Appearances. 

 {Read by the Author ', April 12. 1784.] 



TTAVING formed a theory of rain, founded upon a general 

 * -* law refpecting the condenfation of aqueous vapour con- 

 tained in the air, it is now propofed to make fome application 

 of this theory to natural events, in conlidering the meteorolo- 

 gical obfervations of the globe, and endeavouring, either to ex- 

 plain appearances that are not otherwife underftood, or, from 

 thofe appearances that are evident in themfelves, to draw con- 

 clufions in confirmation of the theory. 



UPON this occafion, where there is an indefinite variety in a 

 feries of particular obfervations, it is necefTary to inveftigate 

 fome order in thofe events, and to form a generality among 

 phenomena, which will then be phyfical truths, and may be 

 compared with the theory. 



i^, IT may be required to fhow fome reafbn why, on all the 

 furface of the earth in general, there are always feafons of rain, 

 whether regular or irregular. Here the fubject of enquiry will 

 properly refpect the generality of rain. 



C^/K, IT will be proper to confider fuch regular periodical 

 rains, as may be found with the circumftances attending their 

 production, which then would ferve to try the theory, or to il- 

 luftrate it. Here the regularity of rain will be the object in 

 view, and not its generality. 



3<//j', IT will be neceflary to examine the apparent exceptions 

 from the doctrine founded on the theory, or thofe appearances 

 of irregularity in nature that do not flow from the theory, al- 

 though they may be in perfect confiftence with it, and might 

 be explained, had we the peculiar circumftances which are the 



occasion 



