THE WEATHER, AND WEATHER PROPHETS. 149 



ought to bring round a periodical increase and diminu- 

 tion in the average rainfalls and barometric heights. 

 Like the others, however, when compared on any ex- 

 tended scale with recorded facts, this results in no 

 establishment of any positive conclusion. 



(10.) A small monthly depression in the average tem- 

 perature arising from the nocturnal radiation consequent 

 on the cloudless state of the sky about the full moon, 

 would seem almost a necessary consequence of that 

 phenomenon. 



(n.) The causes by which that " various and mutable 

 thing" which we call THE WEATHER are produced are in 

 themselves few and simple enough j but the physical 

 laws which determine their actions are numerous and 

 complex ; and the results, in consequence, so mutually 

 interwoven, and the momentary conditions of their ac- 

 tion so dependent on the state of things induced by 

 their previous agency, that it is no wonder it should 

 be next to impossible to trace each specific cause (act- 

 ing as it has done through all past time) direct to its 

 present effect. Yet from this very complexity results 

 that sort of regulated casualty that apparently acci- 

 dental, yet limited departure and excursion on either 

 side from a monotonous medium that exceeding variety 

 of climate, which renders our globe a fit habitation for 

 such innumerable diversities of incompatible life and 

 that general equilibrium in each which secures to every 

 species, and to each individual of them all, its due share 

 in the distribution of heat, moisture, and wholesome 

 air : considerations, these, which are not lost on those 



