LETTER LX. 



'To the same. 



reading Dr. Huxam's " Observationes de Ae're," 

 &c., written at Plymouth, I find by those curious 

 and accurate remarks, which contain an account 

 of the weather from the year 1727 to the year 

 1748 inclusive, that though there is frequent rain 

 in that district of Devonshire, yet the quantity 

 falling is not great ; and that some years it has 

 been very small : for in 1731 the rain measured only 17-266 in. ; 

 and in 1741, 20-354 in. ; and again, in 1743, only 20-908 in. 

 Places near the sea have frequent scuds, that keep the atmosphere 

 moist, yet do not reach far up into the country; making thus the 

 maritime situations appear wet, when the rain is not considerable. 

 In the wettest years at Plymouth the doctor measured only once 

 36 ; and again once, viz. 1734, 37*114 in. a quantity of rain that 

 has twice been exceeded at Selborne in the short period of my 

 observations. Dr. Huxam remarks that frequent small rains keep 

 the air moist ; while heavy ones render it more dry, by beating 



