37D Dr. Barney on some Atmospheric Phenomena [Nov. 



this intersection was the largest and the most resplendent in 

 prismatic colours. The three parhelia thus situated in the upper 

 semicircle of the perfect halo, formed, with the sun, two right 

 angles. 



The state of the instruments was nearly the same as at eight 

 o'clock yesterday morning, and very heavy showers of rain fell 

 during the afternoon. Hence it may be concluded that both 

 solar and lunar halos are certain signs of a humid atmosphere 

 and of approaching rain. 



The rains this month, amounting to upwards of four inches, 

 have penetrated the dusty surface to a good depth, and have 

 had beneficial effects on the vegetable tribes : the loamy meadows 

 too, which three weeks ago were completely scorched by the 

 hot sunshine, so that scarcely a blade of grass could be seen, 

 are now overspread with a lively verdure, having the appearance 

 of spring. 



Remarks on the Weather that preceded and followed tivo other 

 Mock-Suns, seen at Gosport Observatory . 



Oct. 2. — At eight, p. m. a very brilliant meteor fell through a 

 space of about 25° ; it was of the apparent size of Jupiter, towards 

 which planet it proceeded in its descent from the zenith, with 

 astonishing velocity. 



5. — At one, a. m. several loud claps of thunder, and lightning, 

 accompanied by heavy rain, and strong gusts of wind at inter- 

 vals, driving the clouds upon each other. 



6. — At seven, p. m. a small whitish meteor, which emerged 

 from behind a Cirrostratus cloud to the S.W. : at 10, the sky 

 cleared up, by a change of wind from W. to N.W. 



7. — A copious dew (which, with a temperature of 40°, pene- 

 trated through the glass windows), that had been deposited on the 

 grass before sun-rise, was converted into fine hoar-frost for the first 

 time this autumn. In a few minutes after sun- rise, a Stratus 

 arose in the adjoining meadows, perhaps from the exhalation of 

 the heavy dew. When the sun had ascended a few degrees, a 

 parhelion appeared in the eastern point of the compass, 23° 

 distant from, and parallel with, his disc ; a broad streak of 

 Cirrostratus crossed the sun at the time, and reached near the 

 mock-sun, which was adorned with the usual prismatic colours. 

 Barometer 29" 75 inches, thermometer 45°, hygrometer 80°, and 

 the wind due north. A sunny day, with ramified, linear, and 

 plumose Cirri from the N.W., forming into extended arcs as 

 they passed off by the force of an upper current from that quar- 

 ter, it being calm below ; these Cirri were succeeded by fleecy 

 and dusky Cumuli, some of them very lofty ; also Cumulostratus T 

 which, on coming to the zenith, passed to a Nimbus, and a short 

 shower followed ; after 10, p.m. the sky became apparently 

 clear. 



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