10 Col. R. Wright's Meteorological Observations made 



in two or more trials with the same gas the indications hardly 

 ever differed so much as 1 per cent, of oxygen ; and in gene- 

 ral, as in several instances already given, the coincidence in 

 different experiments was exact. Having now mentioned all 

 that appears necessary to elucidate the chemical nature of the 

 different samples of fire-damp from the mines of Newcastle, I 

 conclude this account of the examination by inserting a tabular 

 view of the composition of all the gases which have been ana- 

 lysed. [See Table in preceding page.] 



The gas, No. 12, proved to be unmixed air. I have no 

 remarks to offer respecting the nitrogen found in some sam- 

 ples of the fire-damj) beyond what will readily occur to other 

 chemists, who, I apprehend, will consider, its presence as a 

 simple consequence of oxidizing processes, especially of me- 

 tallic sulphurets, abstracting oxygen from atmospheric air. 



II. Meteorological Observatiotis during a Residence in Co- 

 lombia beiisoeen the Years 1S20 and 1830. By Colonel 

 Richard Wright, Governor of the Province of Loxa^ 

 Coiifidential Age7it of the Republic of the Equator,' S^c. 

 Sfc. 



TF the materials of science could be gathered only by the 

 -■- scientific, the following collection of observations would 

 be a useless labour; but it frequently happens that, in distant 

 countries, the opportunity of observing natural phasnomena 

 falls to the lot of those very ill fitted in most respects to profit 

 by it. The genius of a Humboldt, like an incantation of 

 science, descends upon the New World but once in a series 

 of ages. The most that can be done by an ordinary observer 

 is to offer his mite, — a single stone towards the pyramid of 

 knowledge, — in the hope that he may casually prove useful; 

 and with such humble pretensions can scarcely be deemed 

 importunate. Should even this apology barely extenuate the 

 sterility of a ten years' residence in a country so admirably 

 varied and rich in natural phaenomena as Colombia, something 

 further may be urged in excuse of the milita?-^ traveller, obliged 

 frequently to huiri/ through the most interesting parts, and to 

 vegetate whole years in others of minor importance ; without 

 books, without instruments, without resources; fettered too 

 often by the chain of his own daily wants and sufferings; and 

 fallen on a time when every species of local and traditional 

 information, every glimmering of philosophic research had 

 been buried and obliterated amid the storms and struggles of 

 the revolution. 

 The geographical features of Colombia have been por- 



