MEMOIR OF LAMARCK. 47 



So convinced was Lamarck of the accuracy and 

 value of his theory, that he resolved on reducing it 

 to practice, and thus at the same time establish its 

 truth, and attract the attention of the public towards 

 it. For this purpose he drew up a series of alma- 

 nacks, which he had the perseverance to publish for 

 ten consecutive years, the nature of which will be 

 best understood from the title of that which first 

 appeared. " Annual Meteorology for the Year viii 

 of the Republic (1800, a. d.), containing an Exposi- 

 tion of the Probabilities acquired by a long Series of 

 Observations on the State of the Weather, and 

 Variations of the Atmosphere, in different Seasons 

 of the Year; an Indication of the Times when it 

 may be expected to be fine Weather, or Rain, 

 Storms and Tempests, Frosts, &c. : finally, an Enu- 

 meration, according to Probabilities, of the Times 

 favourable for Fetes, Journeys, Voyages, Harvest, 

 and other Undertakings, in which it is of Import- 

 ance not to be interrupted by the Weather; with 

 simple and concise Directions regarding these new 

 Measures." His predictions, as might have been 

 expected, proved more frequently erroneous than 

 otherwise, but this circumstance was far from in- 

 ducing him to discontinue his exertions. Every 

 year he had recourse to some new consideration, — 

 such as the phases, the apogee and perigee of the 

 moon, and the relative position of the sun, to 

 account for his previous failure, and afford greater 

 certainty in his future prognostications. After every 

 expedient had been tried without success, he was 



