LETTER LX 



TO THE SAME 



IN reading Dr. Huxhairis Observationes de Acre, &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 m - J anc * 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. 1 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 atmos- 

 phere transparent ; because he had observed several bodies 

 more diaphanous when wet than dry, and did never re- 

 collect that the air had that look in rainy seasons. 



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

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



1 See Letter to Pennant (vol. i. p. 14). 

 VOL. II. l8 5 2 A 



