396 Astronomical Phcenomenon. — Africa. 



weather or warm latitudes, or by the chill of the air in winter or 

 cold climates, as by an ingenious contrivance the bulb of the 

 thermometer is kej3t immersed in a column of water admitted 

 and retained by the case, from l!ie greatest depth to which it 

 has been sunk. 



Mr. Purdy, the hydrographer of London, has expressed his 

 opinion of Mr. Jamieson's invention in very flattering terms, as. 

 have also many higlily respectable scientific and nautical men. 



KOTE FROM MR. RIDDJLE. 



To Mr. Tilloch. 

 Sir, — From an expression in Mr. Meikle's note, printed in 

 your last Number, I feel it my duty to request that those who 

 think proper may examine for themselves, whether, in the quo- 

 tations which I gave from his letter, I have in any respect dis- 

 torted the meaning of the words which he actually used. 



After what I have said in my former letters on the question in 

 discussion, it is uiiuecessary to make any observations on the 

 other parts of his note. 



Your obedient servant, 



Edward Riddle. 

 Trinity House School, Newcastle, 13th May, 1820. 



ATMOSPHERICAL PHENOMENON. 



May 2d,^ 1S20. This morning, soon after sunrise, a very 

 brilliant phaenomenon was observed in the neighbourhood of 

 Hartfield, Sus'^ex, a highly-coloured discoid halo, accompanied 

 by a parhelion or mock sun. The temperature has of late been 

 exceedingly low for the time of year, and the atmosphere hazy 

 and obscure. The thermometer scarcely rising to temperate, 

 (52°), and at night often as low as 32° of Fahrenheit's scale. 



AFRICA, 



By the latest information, it seems that the expedition under 

 the command of Major Gray, on whom the direction devolved 

 after the death of Major Peddie, has returned to Galam, on the 

 Senegal, after a most harassing journey through the country of 

 the Foolado. Mr. Docherd, the surgeon attached to the expe- 

 dition, had, wiih a few individuals, however, proceeded onwards 

 to Bammakoo, in Bambarra, from whence accounts have been 

 received from him, dated twelve months since, expressing his 

 hopes of procuring the necessary permission to proceed further. 

 Markets, it seems, were held twice, every week at Sandsnnding 

 and Yamina, wheie provisions were reasonable, and every sort 

 of European merciiandize in great demand, especially articles of 

 finery for the dresses of the females, who are fond of showy co- 

 lours. 



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