78 On the supposed Tides in the 
September was ushered in by a most violent. storm of 
rain. The rapid descent of the barometer, on the first day 
of the month, indicated an approaching storm, and during 
the following night it began to rain, and by the morning 
of the 5th when it ceased, nearly eight inches had fallen, the 
greater part of which fell during the preceding night, and 
produced a sudden and destructive inundation, 
October was distinguished for fine weather, and the at- 
mosphere being washed by copious’ showers, exhibited at 
times, something of the transparency, and deep azure hue, 
at are so celebrated in the climate of Italy. For several 
days in the earlier parts of the month, the planet Venus 
was visible at mid-day. On one occasion being nearly in 
conjunction with the new moon, the appearance which these 
planets exhibited through the day, was particularly striking, 
The months of November and December, have 
for the most part, uncommonly warm and pleasant. The 
meter has been unusually low, the mean for November, 
being only 29.68 inches, and for December, only 29.77 inch- 
ane one instance namely, on the night of the 23d of. 
November, it reached the minimum: for the year, as has 
been already noticed. 
Art. XII.—On the variations of level in the great North 
American Lakes, with documents ; communicated for this 
Journal, by Gen. H. A. S. Dearsorn. 
Brinley Place, Roxbury, Jan. 9, 1829. 
TO THE EDITOR, 
Dear Sir—At an interview with Maj. Samuel A. Storrow, 
late a judge advocate in the army, in the year 1817, he in- 
formed me, that he had observed fluctuations in the waters 
of Lakes Ontario and Michigan, resembling tides ; and that 
he had alluded to them, in the report of a tour which he had 
performed, in the north western regions, under the direction 
of Gen. Brown. 
This phenomenon appears to have attracted the attention 
of Fra. Marguette in 1673, of Baron Hontan in 1689, of 
Charlevoix in 1721, of Capt. Whiting in 1819, and of Henry 
R. Schoolcraft, Esq. who accompanied Gov. Cass, in his ex- 
pedition through the lakes to the Mississippi, during the year 
