LUNAR INFLUENCES. 



471 



LUNAR INFLUENCES. 



ON a former occasion I examined the question respecting the supposed 

 influence of the moon upon the weather, and demonstrated that so far as ac- 

 tual observation has hitherto afforded grounds for reasoning, there is no dis- 

 coverable correspondence between the lunar changes and the vicissitudes of 

 rain and drought which can justify or in any degree countenance the popular 

 belief so generally entertained as to dependance of change of weather upon 

 the changes of the moon. 



But meteorological phenomena are not the only effects imputed to our satel- 

 lite ; that body, like comets, is made responsible for a vast variety of interfe- 

 rences with organized nature. The circulation of the juices of vegetables, the 

 qualities of grain, the fate of the vintage, are all laid"to its account; and 

 timber must be felled, the harvest cut down and gathered in, and the juice of 

 the grape expressed, at times and under circumstances regulated by the aspects 

 of the moon, if excellence be hoped for in these products of the soil. 



According to popular belief, our satellite also presides over human maladies ; 

 and the phenomena of the sick chamber are governed by the lunar phases ; 

 nay, the very marrow of our bones, and the weight of our bodies, suffer in- 

 crease or diminution by its influence. Nor is its imputed power confined to 

 physical or organic effects ; it notoriously governs mental derangement. 



If these opinions respecting lunar influence were limited to particular coun- 

 tries, they would be less entitled to serious consideration ; but it is a curious 

 fact that many of them prevail and have prevailed in quarters of the earth so 

 distant and unconnected, that it is difficult to imagine the same error to have 

 proceeded from the same source. At all events, the extent of their prevalence 

 alone renders them a fit subject for serious investigation ; and I propose at 

 present to lay before you some of the principal facts and arguments bearing on 

 these points, for the collection of which we are mainly indebted to the industry 

 and research of M. Arago. 



A large volume would be necessary to analyze all the popular opinions 



