the Imperial Acadeini/ of Sciences at St Fetersburg. 85 



The mean quantity of rain and snow fallen from 1822 to 

 1834 inclusively, is 16.36 English inches, of which 11.81 are 

 rain, and 4.54 snow, but measured after being melted. 



M. Kupflfer adds, in terminating this labour, of which we 

 have only presented a very abridged extract, that, since the 

 year 1835, meteorological observations have not been made 

 at the Academy of Sciences, but at the Institute of Mines, on 

 another plan, and by other observers, and that they are an- 

 nually printed in a separate publication, the first number of 

 which has already appeai'ed under tbe title of, — Meteorological 

 and Majnetical Observations, made throughout the Hussian 

 Empire, arranged and published by A. T. Kupffer. 



On the Boracic Acid Lagoons of Tuscany. By John Bowring, 

 LL.D.* 



The borax lagoons of Tuscany are entitled to a detailed de- 

 scription. They are unique in Europe, if not in the world ; 

 and their produce is become an article of equal importance 

 to Great Britain as an import, and to Tuscany as an export. 

 They are spread over a surface of about thirty miles, and 

 exhibit from the distance columns of vapour, more or less ac- 

 cording to the season of the year and state of the weathet, 

 which rise in large volumes among the recesses of the moun- 

 tains. 



As you approach the lagoons, the earth seems to poiu* out 

 boiling water as if from volcanoes of various sizes, in a variety 

 of soil, but principally of chalk and sand. The heat in the 

 immediate adjacency is intolerctble, and you are drenched by 

 the vapour, which impregnates the atmosphere with a strong 

 and somewhat sulphurous smell. The whole scene is one of 

 terrible violence and confusion — the noisy outbreak of the 

 boiling element — the ragged and agitated surface — the vo- 

 lumes of vapom" — ^the impregnated atmosphere — ^the rush of 

 waters — among bleak :md solitaiy mountains. 



The ground, which Inirns and .shakes Iteneath your feet, is 



* l''roiii Dr JJoviiin^'i! Kcporl on the yiati«lics of Tuscany. 



