123 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



rain when the air is light, or ver}^ light, and be very dry when the 

 air is heavy. I have a barometer, marked on the face of it, 

 gtormv at 28 inches ; nuich rain at 28 1 ; rain at 29 ; change at 29^ ; 

 fair at 30 ; set fair at oO^. How fallacions ! The plain truth is 

 I have never seen the barometer to 31 1)ut once, and never so low 

 as 29 inches. It generally fluctuates between 29 1 and 30i, and 

 much thef larger part of our rain storms commenced with a heavy 

 atmosphere, and are raging a long while above 30 inches — marked 

 on the barometer fair; and most all our damp, humid weather is 

 owing to or exists when the air is heavy or barometer stands above 

 thirty. I have known but two important rain storms for tlie last 

 five years, to commence Avith barometer below thirty inches, hence 

 the disappointments of the purchasers of barometers. Rain or 

 isnow does not depend upon the state of the air or barometer alone, 

 hut in connection with other circumstances, and they are humidity 

 of the atmosphere, connected with the height of the barometer. 

 If the air is not humid, rain or snow will not fall with any state 

 of the Ijaroracter. If it is humid, and the barometer is high, that 

 humidity will continue until the barometer falls, when it will rain 

 or snow, and continue to, until it reaches a point sufficiently low 

 to indicate a dry N. W. wind. The reasons are obvious : The 

 movements of the barometer, are governed by the courses and 

 velocity of the wind, A southwardly or eastwardly wind depresses 

 the barometer, and if these winds commence or blow with a humid 

 atmosphere, as they are generally loaded with vapor, rain must 

 follow where the barometer falls. On the other hand a X. W- 

 wind generally raises the barometer, and as this wind is generally 

 dry, fair weather must follow. Therefore, a low state of the 

 barometer is an indication of dry weather, and a high state of the 

 barometer, if the air is humid, of wet weather, thus reversing the 

 rules laid down by the men of science. The above, as general 

 rules, will hold good. They have been for nearly four months past 

 susceptible of nearly universal application. The exceptions in 

 tJhese cases were on the 7th of first month, (Jan.) barometer 30i, 

 thermometer 26 deijrees, north wind commenced blowing and 

 raised the barometer Ity next morning to 31 inches, and sunk the 

 thermometer to ten or twelve degrees below zero. The barometer 

 then fell to 30.25 inches with a N. and N, W. wind. The other 

 was fourth month, 1 7th (April), barometer raised with an cast 

 ■wind, then changed to S, W,, :ind after four daj-e' humid atmos- 

 phere, the barometer fell with rain. On referring to a diary kept, 



