203 YE.VH-EOOK OF FACTS. 



undertaking with the Meteorological Society and with gentlemen of 

 eminence, he takes the hest means of giving an important scientific 

 value to these establishments, ensuring good instruments, and an 

 efficient continuance of the observations. 



The fourteen stations are, — one on each side of the Tweed at 

 Berwick, one on Holy Island, the others respectively at North 

 Sunderland, Beadnell, Newton, Craster, Boulmer, Alnmoutb, 

 Amble, Cresswell, Newbiggin, Cullercoats, and Tynemouth. At 

 all these places the instruments are put in public view, either in the 

 window of the establishment or outside the building, so that every 

 one that will may have access to them at all times. A record of 

 each day's fluctuations of the barometer is noted in dots on a ruled 

 scale, and rules drawn successively day by day from one point to 

 the other, so that thus a straight, or an irregular, or a curved line 

 is d'-awn, which indicates at the first glance the states of the mer- 

 cury for several previous days, thus adding to the efficacy of the 

 indication given at the immediate time of observation. These dia- 

 grams are also publicly exposed ; and a sailor looking at one sees 

 what has been the tendency of the barometer. If he finds by the 

 line drawn that the variation has been little, the dots being nearly 

 horizontal, and the glass still steady, he knows that no change is 

 probable. If, on the contrary, he finds the diagram exhibiting an 

 ascending or descending curve, he knows that there has been a 

 progressive rise or fall, and, comparing this with the actual state, 

 he is enabled to judge whether fair or foul weather is to be expected, 

 and, consequently, whether it will be prudent for him to put to sea 

 or r,emain on shore. 



Each station is furnished with a barometer, and a maximum and 

 minimum thermometer, all of strong, plain, good workmanship ; 

 and the placing of the thermometer by the side of the barometer- 

 index is a great improvement, aa both can be read together. With 

 them are issued very plain, intelligible printed directions for using 

 them. 



The Meteorological Observatories in the United Kingdom are ex- 

 ceedingly few, and every addition is a gain to science. One lias 

 already been established at Alnwick by his Grace, and two others at 

 Allenheads and Bywell by Mr. W. B. Beaumont, M.P. A very 

 efficient one has also been established at Osborne by his Royal 

 Highness Prinoe Albert, and another at Holkham by the Earl of 



Leicester; but the total number of reliable observatories in tho 

 United Kingdom, we believe, in September last, fell considerably 

 i horl of sixty. 



We abridge the above from the Loud in which journal 



especial attention is paid to Meteorology, and the progress of 

 : i] science in connexion with the interests of the public. 



SIII1' BTBTJOK Bl UOHTHIHO. 



1jii:te\ant Lai'di!ti:i:ik has oommunioated t< > the Academy of 

 Sciences an account of the effects of ■ stroke >>f Lightning ex- 

 perienced cm board the St, LotUI, man-of-war, in the roadstead of 



