LUNAR INFLUENCES. 425 



From these tables the following results arise : 



f :: 142 : 840 for the New Moon. 

 * • -^ j : : 144 : 344 for the Full Moon. 



Whicli indicates, as might have been anticipated, a very trifling 

 difference, and it is to be borne in mind, as was before observed, that 

 s is tised in a far more extended sense than usual. 



We may extend the subject further, by comparing s and / on the 

 days preceding. 



The next subject of enquiry is, how far the conditions of the 

 weather are affected by the moon's position in her orbit. 



After making the deductions for absence, as in the case of the 1> 

 and ©. 



Five days before Moon's entering Perigee, 331 to 182. 

 " " Apogee, 323 to 188. 



Next, considering the actual days of Apogee and Perigee, 



Perigee, fine, ditto stormy or variable : : 320 : 191. 

 Apogee, fine, ditto stormy or variable :; 325 : 118. 



And making the same calculation for the number of fine and 



stormy days imonediately following Perigee and Apogee. 



/ : s :: 311 : 200, reckoning from the days respectively following Perigee 

 and Apogee, / : s : : 332 : 200. 



Those who imagine that they can trace an analogy between lunar 

 influence as affecting the aerial and ocean wave, would expect that 

 fair weather should prevail at D and ©, and stormy at the quarters. 

 Arago estimates the effect of lunar attraction on the barometer not to 

 exceed ^^o of an inch. 



Dr. Lardner concludes summarily : 



That the popular opinion of lunar influence on the weather has 

 no foundation in theory, or rather that modern science is incompetent 

 to frame a theory on the subject ; or no correspondence with facts. 

 Or rather (might he not have said), meteorology in its present 

 defective state, is not furnished with an adequate apparatus of data. 



Ages ago, Aristotle admirably observed, that the ancient philoso- 

 phers, instead of building their theories upon careful examinations 

 of nature, pursued the opposite and erroneous one of endeavoring 

 to warp the phenomena of nature so as to suit their own favorite 

 dogmas and theories. A fatal error, subversive of all true philosophy, 

 and which has infected every branch of science and meteorology in 

 no small degree. 



