Optical Effects of the Magneto-electrical Machine, 427 



tish Sternidae, was accidentally shot near Brugh Marsh Point, 

 on the 26th of July. For the last five years we have diligently 

 searched after this bird in this quarter without success, and 

 we have little or no doubt that the above was an accidental 

 straggler on its passage to the south. 



A few Meteorological Remarks on the Spring, Summer, and 

 Autumn of 1834-, at Carlisle. 



The weather during the greater part of the month of March, 

 especially from the 10th to theliTth, was remarkably fine and 

 mild ; on the 29th, however, there were several smart hail- 

 showers, and on the 31st the western mountains were com- 

 pletely covered with snow. Nearly the whole of April was 

 exceedingly chilly and cold ; early on the morning of the 29th 

 we had a slight fall of snow, which, however, almost imme- 

 diately disappeared, and after the 30th it became fine and 

 seasonable. 



The summer and autumn, generally speaking, were fine, 

 yet somewhat showery, particularly during the latter end of 

 August and the greater part of September, which slightly in- 

 jured the wheat and other crops in many parts of this district. 

 From the end of September to the 10th of November, the 

 weather here was almost unprecedentedly mild and dry. 



Carlisle, Nov. 10, 1834. 



LXVIII. On certain Optical Effects of the Magnetic-Electrical 

 Machine, and on an Apparatus for decomposing Water hy 

 its means. By Mr, Edward M. Clarke. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal, 



Gentlemen, 



T^RYING the effect of the magnetic electrical machine on 

 * the optic nerves, I observed the following curious phae- 

 nomenon. On grasping in one hand (which had been previously 

 wetted with vinegar) one of the conductors, insulating the other 

 hand with a glove, and slightly pressing the extremity of the 

 other conductor to the wetted forehead, the mouth was af- 

 fected with a metallic taste, similar to that produced when 

 silver and zinc are brought into contact with the tongue, but 

 much stronger. On closing my eyes I observed, where the 

 conductor touched the forehead, a luminous disk, the light of 

 which emanated in waves from a bright spot in the centre. 

 The luminous disk was bounded by a strongly marked black 

 circle, outside of which was more light, similar to that of the 



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