Meteorological Axioms. 15 J 



are at fuch a great diftance, that the eleftrlcity which rifes 

 from the earth cannot reach them : in the oppofite cale it is 

 exceedingly variable. 



4. The atmofphere exhibits figns of ele6lricity at an times; 

 at every hour of the day and the night, 



vr. 



The Magnetic Needle. 



1. The greateft declination of the needle from the north 

 towards the well takes place about two in the afternoon, and 

 the greateft approximation of it towards the north, about 

 eigl»t in the morning; fo that, from the laft-mentioned hour 

 till about two in the afternoon, it endeavours to remove from 

 the north, and between two in the afternoon and tlie next 

 morning to approach it. 



2. The annflal progrcfs of the magnetic needle is as fol- 

 lows : — Between January and March it removes from the 

 north ; between March and May it approaches it ; in June 

 it is ftationary ; in July it removes from it ; in Auguft, Sep- 

 tember, and 0'£lober, it approaches it ; its declination ia 

 0<^ober is the fame as in May ; in November and December 

 it removes from the north : its greateft weftern declination is 

 at the vernal equinox, and its greateft approximation to the 

 north at the autumnal equinox. 



3. The declination of the magnetic needle is different ac- 

 cording to the latitude : among us it has always increafed 

 fincc 1666 : before that period it was eafterlv. 



4. Before volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, the mag- 

 netic needle is often fubjeft to very extraordinary move- 

 ments. 



5. The magnetic needle is agitated before and after tha 

 appearance of the northern lights : its declination on thcfe 

 occafions is about noon greater than ufual. 



6. The greater or Icfs appearance of thefe northern lights 

 i,-; variable : fomc years this phenomenon is very frci^ucnt, 

 in others uncommon. For two or three years thev have 

 occurred very fcldom. ' 



7. The northern lights arc more frequent about the time 

 of the equinoxes than at other periods of the ytar. 



7 8. Tuis 



