NOTES ON THE CHOLERA SEASONS OF 1832-4. 27 



January and ending with September, we obtain the following results, 

 speaking in general terms, but an inspection of the tables will furnish 

 more minute particulars. {Vide, pp. 24-5.) 



1832 was a season of backward spring, cool summer, moderate 

 rain. 1834 in every particular the reverse. But in electric phenom- 

 ena the greatest difference is discernable ; and as much has been said 

 and written upon the supposed connexion of such agencies with epi- 

 demics, the results of two years differing so materially in these two 

 particulars are worthy of notice The total number of days of thun- 

 der in the first nine months of 1832 was 10, in 1834 was 23, and the 

 latter of much greater severity. As was before observed, so far was 

 the cholera from being abated by these thunderstorms, that it seemed 

 to rage more furiously. Miriam, who has been indefatigable in his 

 meteorological researches, observes, " It is frequently remarked that 

 lightning cools the air. Our records of lightning and our hourly 

 records of temperature of the atmosphere, compared together, shew 

 that a great majority of thunderstorms in summer are immediately 

 followed by an increase of temperature." This coincides with our 

 own experience of 1834, as was before observed. 



In concluding this subject we may observe, that this year was of 

 itself not only remarkable for electric phenomena, but was likewise 

 ushered in by one of the most remarkable ever witnessed. I allude 

 to the meteors of November, 1833. The weather previous had been 

 mild and showery, aiid on the night of the 12th, and nearly to the 

 dawn of day, the sky was illumined with milli6ns of meteors, darting 

 from the zenith to the horizon like sky-rockets, thick as the flakes of 

 a snow-storm. In one instance a meteor exploded with considerable 

 noise, leaving behind it a brilliant train of light which lasted some 

 minutes. This splendid celestial exhibition was seen in North and 

 South America and in the West Indies. 



The following table, extracted from the New York Spectator, exhi- 

 bits the ratio of deaths above the average for July, 1832 : 



1 to 2 same as usual. 



2 to 5 4 



5 to 10 4 



10 to 20 8 



20 to 30 12 



30 to 40 14 



