82 REPORT—1850. 
Although these luminous appearances were frequently repeated, it was difficult to 
ascertain from whence they originated, as the clouds were much divided in that 
direction, and the lights became obscured without seeming to go behind the clouds, 
but had the appearance of being dissipated in the air. The author had been an 
attentive observer of thunder-storms for more than half a century, but had never 
witnessed similar appearances. ΄ 
Remarkable Thermometrical Maxima at or near the Moon’s First Quarter 
during the twelve years 1839-1850. By Ricuarp Epmonps, Jun., 
Penzance. 
In the British Association Report for 1845 (Sections, p. 20), the author has noticed 
a series of nine days, separated from one another by intervals of about four lunations 
each, and distinguished by earthquakes, extraordinary oscillations of the sea, or very 
remarkable states of the atmosphere. The series extended to the 13th of June1845. On 
the 8th of October following, when another period of four lunations was completed, 
the barometer at Penzance, near the close of a very violent storm of wind and rain 
from $.8.W., reached a minimum of 28°75, lower than for at least six months before 
and above a hundred days afterwards. Here the series, with intervals of four luna- 
tions, terminates. 
On the 6th of November 1845 (exactly one lunation afterwards), the barometer 
at Penzance, on the close of another violent storm of wind and rain from about south, 
was at nearly the same minimum as on the 8th of October. 
Each of the phznomena alluded to occurred within forty-eight hours of the 
moon’s first quarter. The following remarkable maxima of temperature, during the 
last twelve years, were also nearer to the moon’s first quarter than to any other, 
except that of the 5th of July, 1846; but the great thunder-storm of that day com- 
menced the preceding evening, when the moon was nearer her first quarter than any 
other. These maxima (assuming that that for 1850 has already occurred) include 
the annual maxima of the twelve years, except 1839, when the annual maximum 
was one degree higher; and except 1847, which last, however, would scarcely be 
regarded as an exception, if allowance were made for the early time of the year in 
which the remarkable maximum occurred. Most of the maxima were accompanied - 
by thunder-storms or extraordinary oscillations of the sea. 
Dates and Moon’s | Max. of 
age at 2 o’clock | therm. at Remarks. 
p.m. Chiswick, 
1839, June 18] 84 This was higher than on any other day of the year, except 
(7 days the 3rd of August, when it was 85°. On the 20th of May 
1 hour). (one lunation before) it was73°, the maximum for the month. 
On the 17th of July (one lunation after) it was 80°, the 
maximum for that month, except one day, when it reached 
81°. 
1840, August 3] 87 The maximum of the year. 
(5 days 
17 hours). 
1841, May 27| 82 In Dumfriesshire and Chiswick this was the hottest day of 
(6 days the year, except the 12th of September, when at the latter 
14 hours). place it was 84°. At Chiswick, on the day in the margin, 
there was much “sheet lightning at night with occasionally 
some of the zigzag and forked kind, with thunder and abrupt 
showers in large drops.”’ In ‘lruro, Cornwall, ‘ on the 
evening of the 26th, a very remarkable series of electrical 
explosions commenced, the discharges continuing through 
the whole night with very little intermission, embracing a 
large portion of the central districts of the county, and re- 
peatedly presenting a most brilliant appearance from the 
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