160 OBSERVATIONS ON THE FALL OF RAIN. 
Any subject which could command so much of 
Dr. Dalton’s scientific attention, would require 
nothing being said to prove it worthy of the most 
careful investigation. Meteorology, generally, 
has been a favourite pursuit with him through 
life, and the public are indebted for much of the 
information, and most of the sound views they 
possess, to the many papers upon this subject 
which the doctor has contributed. 
It is, however, in the application of the know- 
ledge which is acquired in the pursuit of such 
enquiries to the wants and purposes of life, that 
their great practical importance consists. 
The intimate connexion between the amount 
of rain falling, and the supply of water in the 
country, is obvious. On our knowledge of the 
relation which one bears to the other, under dif- 
ferent circumstances, must we depend for rules 
to guide us in agricultural and engineering im- 
provements, and in the consideration of all cases 
in which the application of water, or its multifa- 
rious effects, form important points. 
In irrigation, for instance; in the supply of 
water to towns, or in its application as a moving 
