Scientijic Intelligence. — Meteorology. 187 



stance of dew being deposited on the apex or points of leaves. Ap- 

 parently smooth leaves are, when examined by a microscope, found 

 studded with these natural attractions ; and which is still more illus- 

 trative of the case in question, plants vegetate with more vigour in an 

 electrified atmosphere, than when the soil is electrified. This commu- 

 nication was merely a general sketch of conclusions which the author 

 promised to illustrate more at large on a future occasion. 



3. On Noises proceeding from Aurora Boreulis, and oh the Twink- 

 ling of the Fixed Stars in Scotland^ hy Professor Necker. — 1, never 

 could hear any particular noise in Skye, even when the aurora was 

 most extensive and vivid, and the most perfect calm and profound si- 

 lence prevailed. In the Shetland Islands, however, I have heard nu- 

 merous statements to the contrary ; which are the more remarkable as 

 they were entirely spontaneous, and in no way influenced by any pre- 

 vious question on my part. 



Individuals of various states and conditions, and inhabiting districts 

 very remote from each other in these islands, have been unanimous in 

 saying that, when the aurora is intense, it is accompanied with a noise 

 which they all alike agree in comparing to a winnowing machine when 

 employed in fanning corn. 



One of the persons employed by the Commissioners of the Northern 

 Lighthouses to make meteorological observations at the lighthouse of 

 Sumburgh Head (at the southern extremity of Shetland), and who has 

 consequently acquired a habit of observing correctly, has informed me 

 of his own accord, and without having the subject forced on him, that 

 this sound was always heard distinctly, and he even added that he 

 had heard it while within one of the rooms of the lighthouse, the win- 

 dow-shutters of which were closed, when he said there must be an au- 

 rora borealis, which turned out to be the fact. 



The aurora has frequently been accompanied with hoar-frosl and in 

 the greater number of instances it has been followed by hea\y falls 

 of snow or rain, as well as by violent gusts of wind and tempests. In 

 this last respect, therefore, my observations rather tend to confirm the 

 opinion generally admitted in Scotland, that the northern lights are 

 the precursors of bad weather and strong winds. 



I have heard Professor Forbes say, that the fixed stars, even of the 

 first magnitude, never twinkle near Edinburgh unless it be when an 

 aurora borealis prevails. My own observations, in general, confirm 

 this remark. It is true that the fixed stars never twinkle in these la- 

 titudes, or at least it is only very rarely that I have seen, in stars of 

 the fii-st magnitude, a slight scintillation. 



At Skye, on the contrary, all the fixed stars sparkle and scintillate 



