120 Mr Scott 071 the Temperature of Shetland. 



and the annual mean temperature of the morning not greater 

 than that of the evening. In the instance before us, the form- 

 er exceeds the latter by 1 ° 9f. 



The midday mean forms no element of the above table. It is 

 given here to shew the range only of the thermometer ; and^ 

 this, it will be observed, is, in steady weather, very limited. In 

 1824, the thermometer reached its highest point, QB° 8', on the 

 2d of September ; and the lowest, (at least the lowest I ob- 

 served), 24° 8' at 8i P.M. of the 16th December. At 9i a.m., 

 16th June 1825, it stood at 67°; by noon it had sunk to Qiot" ; 

 and the wind, which was at this time southerly, having changed 

 to the north, it fell, before 8i p.m. of the 17th, to 44° 6' ; and 

 at noon of the 18th and 19th, rose no higher than 47° ; 67° was 

 the highest point I observed it reach during my stay of 15 

 months. 



The proximity of the sea to every part of the country, has 

 doubtless a considerable effect in modifying the temperature ; 

 and to this it is unquestionably owing that Shetland, near the ex- 

 tremity of the north temperate zone, has warmer winters than 

 regions situated 10° nearer the Equator. To this cause, also, 

 are to be attributed the moisture of the atmosphere, the almost 

 perpetual obscuration of the heavens with clouds, and the fre- 

 quent fogs which prevail in the country. 



From the observations of a single year, it would be impossible 

 to form a correct estimate of the average number of fair and 

 rainy days, or of the quantity of rain, snow, &c. that falls an- 

 nually ; and as this register contains all the facts I possess, I 

 think it better to leave those who may see it to form their own 

 conclusions, th?in to hazard any of mine on the subject.* 



Thunder is of rare occurrence, and is heard more frequently 

 during the storms of winter than in the summer months. I hap- 

 pened to hear it but once while in the country. 



The aurora borealis, I was told, is not now so frequently seen 

 as it was fifteen or twenty years ago ; the brightness of its co- 

 lours, the hght it gives out, and the rapidity of its corruscations, 

 are also said to have diminished. Being desirous of observing 

 this beautiful phenomenon, I looked for it generally in nights 

 that were favourable to its appearance. I, however, saw it only 



• We hope to be able to find room for the Register in our next Number. 



