THE 



EDINBURGH NEW 



PHILOSOPHICAL JOUENAL. 



Observations, chieflif Meteorological, made at Ambleside, West- 

 moreland, in 1843-4-5. By JoHsr Davy, M.D., F.R.S. 

 Lond. & Ed., Inspector-General of Army Hospitals, L.R. 

 Communicated by the Author. 



Ok taking up our residence in a place new to us, the 

 curiosity is commonly excited, and we are apt to observe with 

 more care and minuteness, than if familiar with the scenes 

 from living long amongst them. Under this impression, I 

 purpose now to record some observations which I have made 

 here during the last two years, chiefly meteorological, tend- 

 ing to illustrate the climate of a district in some respects 

 peculiar, and, as I Avould hope, to illustrate also some phe- 

 nomena of an obscure kind, respecting which there has been 

 difference of opinion and much discussion. 



Of the character of the country constituting the district, 

 a very few words may suflftce, — it is so well and generally 

 known, as formed of a succession of valleys, but little raised 

 above the level of the sea, bounded by hills and mountains of 

 moderate height ; and abounding in water, in lakes, tarns, 

 and streams, — every valley having its river or rivulet, ac- 

 cording to the extent of drainage, and almost every one its 

 lake or lakes. 



1. The effect of radiation here is often remarkable, as exhi- 

 bited by a thermometer placed on the grass, or on cotton-wool, 

 compared with another suspended in the air. I shall com- 

 mence with it, as it seems deserving of particular attention, 

 on account of its influence on the climate, and in connexion 

 with some of its most striking peculiarities. 



VOL. XXXIX. NO. LXXVII. — JULY 1845. A 



