3206 ABRITDGEM@EWN *T 8 of 
nerally found, that lands moft fubje& to flagnant ponds, 
have but a fhallow ftratum of clay, over the fand. 
All that is neceflary, therefore, is to dig a pit in the 
bottom of the pond, till you arrive at this ftratum of 
fand, when the water will be immediately abforbed, and 
the pond emptied. Should there be too much water to 
permit a hole to be dug within the pond, it may be made 
at the edge of it, the communication afterwards made 
by a trench. It would be prudent not to make the 
fides of the pit fo fteep, as to prevent cattle from getting 
out, fhould they happen to go in. 
The writer does not pretend to be the original author of 
this invention ; the idea was fuggefted to him, by feeing 
it practifed by a farmer, who enjoyed the benefit, though 
he did not appear to know the caufe 
N°. XXXVI © 
Obfervations on the feverity of the winter 1779, 1780, by the 
Rev, Matuew WILson of Lewis, dated 22d June 1780. 
Read Jane ‘HE extreme cold made great devaftations 
178i. ff son the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Such 
. obfervations as were in my power to make, are, 
1. The moles generally perifhed, many were found dead 
above ground. 
2. The bees are almoft all deftroyed, but few hives have 
efcaped. | 
3. The frogs fuffered greatly, it is fuppofed that at leaft 
two thirds of the fpecies were cut off. 
4. Our hell fifth of all kinds, that run in fhoal, waters, 
were deftroyed; after the thaw. the air was infected by 
their putrifaction. 
5. Bugs 
