268 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
deep beechen woods of Tisted and Ropley. We remember a little 
girl who, as she was going to bed, used to remark on such an 
occurrence, in the true spirit of physico-theology, that the rooks 
were saying their prayers ; and yet this child was much too young 
to be aware that the Scriptures have said of the Deity—that “he 
feedeth the ravens who call upon him.” 
I am, &c. 
Does clad Mil Bie ci 5 ea pe, 
TO THE SAME. 
IN reading Dr. Huxam’s “ Observationes de Aére,” &c., written at 
Plymouth, I find by those curious and accurate remarks, which 
contain an account of the weather from the year 1727 to the year 
1748 inclusive, that though there is frequent rain in that district of 
Devonshire, yet the quantity falling is not great ; and that some 
years it has been very small: for in 1731 the rain measured only 
17'266 in. ; and in 1741, 20°354 in. ; and again, in 1743, only 20°908 
in. Places near the sea have frequent scuds, that keep the 
atmosphere moist, yet do not reach far up into the country ; making 
thus the maritime situations appear wet, when the rain is not con- 
siderable. In the wettest years at Plymouth the doctor measured 
only once 36; and again once, viz. 1734, 37°114 in.—a quantity of 
rain that has twice been exceeded at Selborne in the short period 
of my observations. Dr. Huxam remarks that frequent small 
rains keep the air moist ; while heavy ones render it more dry, by 
beating down the vapours. He is also of opinion that the dingy 
smoky appearance in the sky, in very dry seasons, arises from the 
want of moisture sufficient to let the light through, and render the 
atmosphere transparent ; because he had observed several bodies 
more diaphanous when wet than dry, and did never recollect that 
the air had that look in rainy seasons. 
My friend, who lives just beyond the top of the down, brought 
his three swivel guns to try them in my outlet, with their muzzles 
towards the Hanger, supposing that the report would have had a 
great effect; but the experiment did not answer his cxpectation. 
He then removed them to the alcove on the Hanger ; when the 
sound, rushing along the Lythe and Comb Wood was very grand : 
