24 FLOATING ISLAND 



extended so far tiiat I could not distinguish my 

 own form, but the shadow of that part of the 

 hill on which I stood appeared highly illuminated. 

 This caused me to reconsider the circumstance ; 

 and I felt convinced that the sole cause of the 

 appearance was the reflection of the sun's rays 

 from that part of each globule of dew which was 

 directly opposite to the sun and the place where 

 I was standing. 



If you find leisure to examine the contents 

 of the accompanying phials of gas, I shall be 

 glad at some opportunity to learn the result.* 



I remain, dear Sir, 



Your obedient and much obliged 

 humble Servant, 



JONATHAN OTLEY. 



* Both phials were examined soon after their receipt, and 

 found to contain a mixture of equal volumes of carburetted 

 hydrogen (pond gas) and azote, with the usual 5 to 10 per cent, 

 of carbonic acid. These are the same proportions that were 

 found in 1815.— J. D. 



