Siimm/try of Meleorologiccd Observations at Paris in 1816. 369 



separate tables, it will be observed with surprise, that in this 

 year so remarkably rainy, the hygrometer fell nevertheless so low 

 as 34" in April, the term of satnration being 100\ M. Ramond 

 informs us, in his work, that he never saw, even on the Pyrenees^ 

 the hygrometer below 39", except under very rare circumstances. 



Quanliii/ r>f Rain. 



The rain is collected at the Observatory in rt cyliildrical reci- 

 pient placed on the platform of the building at 30 metres 

 (90 feet) above the ground. It passes from that into a tin 

 vase, which is closed on all sides, and where it caimot experi- 

 ence any sensible variation : and care is besides taken to mea- 

 sure it a short time after it has fallen. 



From the average of eight years of observations, (since 1809,) 

 the annual quantity of rain at Paris appears to have been 4S'46 

 centimetres ( 17 inches 1 1 lines). The result of this year (1816) is 

 equal to 5454 centimetres (20 inches 2 lines). That of 1815 was 

 only 45 07 centimetres (16 inches 8 lines). The rain collected in 

 1811 exceeded by 4-4 centimetres (1 inch 7 lines) what has 

 fallen during the year just elapsed ; and nevertheless the number 

 of rainy days in 1811 was only 143^ while in 1816 there have been 

 no less than 167. 



It would appfear from some experiments made in Englandj 

 that the quantity of rain is more or less considerable in propor* 

 tion as the gauge in which it is received is elevated above the 

 ground. The new instruments with Which the Observatory has 

 been lately enriched will enable us, in the course of the ensumg 

 year, to appreciate the amount, and perhaps to assign the cause 

 of these dift'erences. 



