PROCEEDINGS 



PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



FORTY-SEVENTH SESSION. 



1st November, 1848. — T/ie Presibent in the Chair. 



The Librarian laid on the table a copy of the printed proceedings of 

 the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society, No. 4, presented by 

 that Society. 



The President read a paper on the Atmosphere, explaining its nature 

 and extent, and showing the maximum and minimum points of barometric 

 pressure, and the varieties of temperature in different parts of the world. 

 It was noticed that the place most remarkable for its climate is Yakutsk, 

 (N. Lat. 62",) which is near the boundary between Russian Siberia and 

 Chinese Tartary, and where a considerable trade is carried on between 

 these great nations. The thermometer in winter sinks as low as — 77°. 

 During three months of the year the temperature is never higher than 

 40°, and during three only is the temperature above the freezing point. 

 These three months constitute the summer at Yakutsk. Snow and ice 

 disappear all at once ; the thermometer rises to 82° ; crops of wheat are 

 raised ; — the sowing, the vegetation, the ripening, and the harvest are all 

 completed before the brief summer terminates. It is well known that for 

 the ripening of wheat, barley, rice, and other kinds of grain, a certam 

 temperature is necessary. Thus, barley will not grow unless the mean 

 temperature of the three summer months amounts to 49J° ; wheat, which 

 is a native of a hotter climate, requires a still higher temperature. But 

 when the temperature is 82° at Yakutsk, there being a sufficient supply 

 of water, the process of vegetation is remarkably shortened. 



15</t November, 1848. — The Vice-Piiesident in the Cliair. 



A COMMUNICATION was reccivcd from the secretary of the Liverpool 

 Literary and Philosophical Society, intimating the additional gift of Nos. 

 Vol. III.— No. 1. 1 



