( 190 ) 

 SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



METEOROLOGY. 



1. Extreme dryness of the atmosphere of Greece, and rising of 

 the land there. — In a letter from Bory St Vincent, at present in 

 Greece, to GeofFroy St Hilaire, dated Milo, 20th September, 

 there are curious details in regard to the extreme dryness that 

 prevails in the isles of the Archipelago during the summer. 

 The dryness is such, that, under the influence of a temperature 

 of 86° Fahr., nearly the whole animals and vegetables of the 

 country disappear. The plains of France, he says, are less naked, 

 and more abundant in animals, in the month of January, than are 

 these islands in the months of summer. The only living crea- 

 tures observed during the warm season are a few lizards running 

 about the dry stone- walls. The coasts of the islands are not 

 less meagre of living beings than the land ; there are but three 

 species of fucus, and six confervae, and consequently no fishes. 

 M. Bory St Vincent has particularly examined Santorini, the 

 most curious island in the Mediterranean. It is throughout of 

 volcanic formation. He is of opinion that new volcanoes will 

 soon appear there. He visited a road-stead where the bottom 

 is rising from year to year, and at present is not more than 

 three fathoms from the surface of the sea, and is sensibly warm. 

 Every thing announces that it will soon appear above the sur- 

 face. 



2. Winter climate of Rome very favourable for cojisumptive 

 persons. — Carus, in his lately published Analekten, agrees with 

 Dr Clarke in thinking that the beautiful and mild winter of 

 Rome is very beneficial to consumptive patients, and adds, that 

 this opinion is further strengthened by an appeal to the power- 

 ful and handsome form of the Romans, particularly the Roman 

 females. In summer, Rome is exceedingly unpleasant and un- 

 healthy. In proof of this it may be mentioned that the fever 

 Hospital of St Carlo, during the winter season, is nearly empty, 

 while in summer it generally contains 1000 fever patients, 



