382 NATURAL HISTORY 



LETTER LX. 



TO THE SAME. 



IN reading Dr. Huxham's Observations de Aere, &c. 

 written at Plymouth, I find by those curious and accu- 

 rate 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 Devon- 

 shire, yet the quantity falling is not great; and that 

 some years it has been very small : for in 1731 the rain 

 measured only 17-2(>6 inches ; and in 1741, 20-354; and 

 again in 1743, only 20-908. 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 : a quantity of rain that has twice been 

 exceeded at Selborne in the short period of my obser- 

 vations. Dr. Huxham remarks, that frequent small 

 rains keep the air moist; while heavy ones render it 

 more dry, by beating down the vapours. He is also of 

 opinion that the dingy, smoky appearance in the sky, 

 in very dry seasons, arises from the want of moisture 

 sufficient to let the light through, and render the atmo- 

 sphere transparent; because he had observed several 

 bodies more diaphanous when wet than dry; and did 

 never recollect that the air had that look in rainy sea- 

 sons. 



My friend, who lives just beyond the top of the down, 

 brought his three swivel guns to try them in my outlet, 

 with their muzzles towards the Hanger, supposing that 

 the report would have had a great effect; but the expe- 

 riment did not answer his expectation. He then re- 

 moved them to the Alcove on the Hanger; when the 



