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XXXIX. Notices respecting New Books. 



Meteorological Essays and Observations, by J. F. Daniell, 

 F.R.S. London 1823. 8vo. pp. 464. 



[We have been induced to republish the following review of Mr. Daniell's 

 Meteorological Essays, from an American periodical publication in which 

 it has very recently appeared, not only as a very clear and concise analysis 

 of the work in question, but also as it may not be unserviceable in show- 

 ing the attention and intelligence with which the progress of science in 

 this country is viewed on the other side of the Atlantic. — We have been 

 informed that the article is understood to be from the pen of Professor 

 Renwick of Columbia College in New York:] 



HPHE atmosphere that surrounds the globe we inhabit is the 

 A scene of numerous and important phenomena. With these 

 our comfort and health is most intimately connected ; and yet, 

 although they take place in our immediate vicinity, and are 

 continually producing marked effects upon our senses, we are 

 much less acquainted with the laws that govern them, than 

 we are with those that direct and regulate the motions of bodies 

 situated at distances from us so remote as almost to baffle hu- 

 man conception. Yet this is not because a sufficient degree 

 of attention is not paid to the changes that occur in the atmo- 

 sphere ; for they form an object of constant observation and re- 

 mark to all classes of mankind ; but our ignorance arises from 

 the want of regular and correct registers of the more obvious 

 appearances, and of instruments by which the more hidden 

 phenomena may be discovered and observed. This last defect 

 bids fair to be soon obviated. The labours of several power- 

 ful minds have of late years been devoted to the science of 

 meteorology. Much has been thus accomplished in the dis- 

 covery of causes that affect climate, and in the contrivance of 

 instruments to observe and register them ; but by far the most 

 important work that has yet appeared on this subject is that of 

 Daniell. We shall endeavour to give our readers an analysis 

 of this interesting volume. 



The earth, as is well known, is surrounded by an atmosphere, 

 whose principal constituent part is a permanently elastic fluid, 

 that may, as far as its effects upon climate are concerned, be 

 considered as homogeneous. The temperature of this, at any 

 point of the earth's surface, may be observed by means of a 

 thermometer, and its mechanical pressure by the barometer. 

 These instruments are so.familiar as to need no description; 

 their use and construction are both well known to all persons 



pretending 



