Contributions to Meteorology. 77 
It is hardly necessary to cite the other experiments in this place. 
M. de Quatrefages concludes that the light is produced by the con- 
traction of the interior mass of the body; that the scintillations 
are owing to the rupture and rapid contraction of the filaments of 
the interior, and that the fixed light which these animals emit 
before dying, proceeds from the permanent contraction of the con- 
tractile tissues adhering to the inner surface of the general envelop. 
The production of the light is independent of all material secre- 
tions. Whether it is accompanied by a discharge of electricity 
Or not, remains to be ascertained. 
Arr. [X.—Contributions to Meteorology— Mean Results of Me- 
teorological Observations, made at St. Martin, Isle Jesus, 
Canada East, (nine miles west of Montreal,) for 1852; by 
Cuartes Smattwoon, M.D.* 
Barometric Pressure.-—The readings of the barometer, are all 
corrected for capillarity, and reduced to 32° F’. e means are ob- 
tained from three daily observations, taken at 6 a.m. 2p.m. and 10 p.m. 
_ The mean height of the barometer in January, was 29-607 
inches, in February 29°902, in March 29-952, in April 29-470, 
in May 29-539, in June 29-489, in July 29-555, in August 29-668, 
in September 29-645, in October 29-689, in November 29°615, 
and in December, 30-011 inches.—The highest reading was in 
ecember, and indicated 30-329 inches, the lowest was in June 
and was 28-727 inches; the yearly mean was 29-686 inches, 
the yearly range was equal to 1-602 inches—The atmospheric 
wave of November was marked by its usual fluctuations, the 
final trough terminated on the 30th day. 
Thermometer.—The mean temperature of the air in January, 
Was 12°-65, in February 21°-90, in March 209-7, in April 38°°38, 
in May 52°-27, in June 66°°12, in July 72°°33, in August 68°-02, 
11 September 59°-15, in October 45°-69, in November 33°°0, in 
The mean humidity of the atmosphere in winter was ‘781, in 
spring -806, in summer ‘810, and in autumn 895. The yearly 
* The i 5° #9” N, Lat, and 78° 36” 
geographical co-ordinates of the place are 4 
W. Long. : height above the level of the sea (estimated) 80 feet. 
