METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 477 



If a frost happens, even when the ground is considerably 

 dry, as soon as a thaw takes place, the paths and fields are 

 all in a batter. Country people say that the frost draws 

 moisture. But the true philosophy is, that the steam and 

 vapours continually ascending from the earth, are bound in 

 by the frost, and not suffered to escape till released by the 

 thaw. No wonder then that the surface is all in a float; 

 since the quantity of moisture by evaporation that arises 

 daily from every acre of ground is astonishing. WHITE. 



FROZEN SLEET. 



January 20. Mr. H's man says that he caught this day, in 

 a lane near Hackwood park, many rooks, w r hich, attempting 

 to fly, fell from the trees with their wings frozen together by 

 the sleet, that froze as it fell. There were, he affirms, many 

 dozen so disabled. WHITE. 



MIST, CALLED LONDON SMOKE. 



This is a blue mist which has somewhat the smell of coal 

 smoke, and as it always comes to us with a N. E. wind, is 

 supposed to come from London. It has a strong smell, and 

 is supposed to occasion blights. When such mists appear 

 they are usually followed by dry weather. WHITE. 



REFLECTION OF FOG. 



When people walk in a deep white fog by night with a 

 lanthorn, if they will turn their backs to the light, they will 

 see their shades impressed on the fog in rude gigantic 

 proportions. This phenomenon seems not to have been 

 attended to, but implies the great density of the meteor at 

 that juncture. WHITE. 



