434 Dr. Biiriiei/'s McteoroIogicalJonrnalkept at Gosport. [June, 



coincidence between the meaiis at eight, a.m. and eight, p.m- 

 for either, or for both the years together. The same may be said 

 of the mean barometric pressure at those times. 



Hit/nidifi/ of the Atmosphere. — By accurate observations made 

 ■with De Luc's whalebone hygrometer, the mean diurnal humidity 

 of the ambient air is nearly 7° greater this year than the preced- 

 ing; but it will be recollected that the latter part of the spring, and 

 botli the summer and autumn of 1818 were unusually dry and 

 warm ; so much so that the evaporation was one-third more, the 

 depth of rain one-third less, and the modifications of clouds less 

 frequent in their appearance that year than this — these circum- 

 stances combine in establishing the fact of a more vaporous 

 atmosphere, agreeably to the indications of the instrument. 



Prevailing Winds. — The variableness of the winds during: 

 1818 and 1819 may be seen in that part of the table containing 

 -the results of the prevailing winds ; but when we compare the 

 number of days they have come from the east of our meridiaUj^ 

 ■with the number from the west of it, the difference in the two 

 years' results is only a few days. The winds to the eastward of 

 the meridian this year have prevailed 148 days, and those to tlie 

 ^westward of it 217 days; difference in favour of tlie latter 69 

 *lays ; and this difference agrees with that of last year within one 

 <lay — to this may be attributed the coincidence of the meau 

 barometric pressure. The number of strong gales of wind from 

 the following points of the compass, or rather tlie days they 

 have prevailed, are 34; namely, N. .3, N.E.I, E. 5, S.E. Oj^ 

 S. 4, S.W. 9, W. 9, and N.W. 3.— There being much doubt as. 

 to the accuracy of registering the winds from the positions of Ioav 

 -vanes, in consequence of the eddy and baffling winds tliat 

 frequently prevail with the land breezes, from attractions and 

 obstructions on and near the earth, we therefore register from a. 

 liigh vane, and sometimes from the direct motions of the lower 

 ■clouds. The propriety of this method we urged in our last 

 Anuual Meteorological Results, published in the Ainiah of Phi- 

 iosophif. The state of the winds this year, as well as last, was 

 drawn up from three observations each day, as well as front 

 frequent observations in the nights, according to the precise 

 duration of each wind. 



Clouds. — The last table contains the number of days on which 

 the various modifications of clouds have appeared, and some of 

 them by night as well as by day. The eirrostratus cloud, in 

 consequence of the humidity of the atmosphere, has appeared 

 most ; and the stratus, which is confined in its appearance- 

 chiefly to autumn, tlie least, as is usual. The emnulostratus and 

 the nimbus are nearly even in numbers ; and also the cirrus audi 

 t:umulus. The eirrocumulus cloud, whether in elevated roaud 

 flocks, or attenuated beds, is characteristic of a rising tesnpjexa- 

 ture soon after its appearance, but mostly on the subsequent day^ 

 The cirrus and eirrostratus presage a fulling temperatuve_s xvda^ 



