457 



together with other organic matters which contain much oxygen — 

 for instance, oxalic acid — may bo the cause of the relative and 

 various abundance of hydrogen in the products of ulmic acid — 

 namely, the incrusting matters of plants. 



2. Oa a remarkable Oscillation of the Sea observed at various 

 places on the coasts of Great Britain, in the first week of 

 July 1843. By David Milne, Esq. 



This phenomenon was observed on the 5th July and three follow- 

 ing days. It did not occur on all parts of the coasts of Great Bri- 

 tain. In England, it was observed only on the south shores of 

 Cornwall and Devonshire. In Scotland, it was observed on the 

 east coast ; and there it was seen at a great many places, between 

 Eyemouth in Berwickshire and the Shetland Islands. 



It was only on the 5th July that the oscillation occurred on the 

 Cornish and Devonshire coasts. It prevailed on the Scottish coast, 

 however, from the 5th to the 7th July inclusive. 



The phenomenon consisted of a flux and reflux of the sea, beyond 

 what could be accounted for by ordinary tides, or any wind pre- 

 vailing at the time. The water suddenly rose up and sunk down 

 from 2 to 6 feet in perpendicular height, producing effects more or 

 less striking, according to the shelving character of the shore. 



In regard to the cause of the phenomenon, various had been the 

 surmises ; though the general impression seemed to be, that it was 

 produced by distant submarine earthquakes. 



The author stated that he could not acquiesce in this view, and 

 gave his reasons for saying so. 



In order to obtain a wider field of induction, he referred to former 

 instances of oceanic oscillations, and shewed that they were almost 

 always accompanied with considerable atmospheric disturbances. 



He then proceeded to give an account of a remarkable storm of 

 wind, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hail, which had tra- 

 versed the British Islands on the 5th July, appearing first in the 

 SW. of England, and passing through the midland counties, tra- 

 versing the south-east parts of Scotland, and going off about the 

 Aberdeenshire coast. 



By the lightning and large hail-stones accompanying this storm, 

 much damage to property, as well as loss of life, had occurred. 

 At Sheffield, the barometer was, during the passage of the storm, 

 observed to sink suddenly about an inch. 



