PART II. 



METEOROLOGY. 



CHAPTER I. 



Meteorology. 



*' 'Tis pleasant, by the cheerful hearth, to hear 

 Of tempests, and the dangers of the deep, 

 And pause at times, and feel that we are safe'; 

 Then listen to the perilous tale again, 

 And with an eager and suspended soul, 

 Woo terror to delight us." Southey. 



WE now enter upon that part of oursuhject which treats of the 

 atmosphere, the waters of the globe, and the mountain rocks of 

 which it is composed- No department of natural history abounds 

 more in important facts and interesting conclusions. We com- 

 mence first with " METEOROLOGY." 



The science of meteorology describes and explains the various 

 phenomena which occur in the region of our atmosphere. The 

 word is of Greek origin and means aloft or elevated. Itis a study 

 which has deeply engaged the attention of men in every stage 

 of society, from the roving savage to the refined votary of wealth 

 and pleasure. The moment we cross our thresholds we commit 

 ourselves to the influence of the weather ;-*but the hardier class 

 of the community, the shepherd, the plowman, and the mariner, 

 whose labor creates or procures the staple articles of life, are al- 

 ways exposed by their occupation to the mercy of the elements. 

 They are hence led by the strongest motives, to examine closely 



