APPLICABLE TO MATHEMATICS, &C. 331 



had in his immortal work. The importance of 

 collecting accurate and efficient data, in order to 

 establish correct theories in physical science, is 

 at once apparent ; this view has induced rae to 

 consider what data is required in some of the less 

 perfect branches of physical science, to enable the 

 mathematician to compute with certainty the time, 

 manner, &c. of any particular event, which may 

 occur in the ordinary course of nature. 



The subjects which have engaged my atten- 

 tion, are the following, which I shall separately 

 discuss, Meteorology, Hydrodynamics, Heat, &c. 



Meteorology is greatly indebted to our late 

 president. Dr. Dalton, for many valuable ob- 

 servations, and particularly for his admirable 

 explanation of the phenomena of rain &c. 



The following consideration, I think, ought to 

 guide us in the selection of data, to be applied, 

 by means of abstract science, to the explanation 

 of facts which we daily observe ; if we discover, 

 hy 'patient investigation and research, that the 

 object of our constant meditations is possessed of 

 a property, either peculiar to itself or cominon 

 to other objects, then we should endeavour to 



