Miscellanies. 403 



ders of your scientific Journal to give the history of seasons in America, 

 from the year 1600 to the present year, and to communicate to you the 

 results of their researches. 



I have these observations in the United States since the year 1793 to 

 the end of 1837, and some in 1739. I have very few from 1758 to 

 1600, and kw from 1758 to 1793. In the mean time, the recitals of epi- 

 demics, of voyages and travels, the history and statistics of agriculture, 

 of the sciences, and of chronology, either printed or in manuscript, may 

 supply the place of regular observations. It will promote these research- 

 es, to furnish the means of making them, by pointing out the works 

 where the information may be found. 



If I can compile this history for the entire surface of the globe, I think, 

 that by means of tables announced in my eighth memoir, we shall be 

 able to predict the seasons for future times. For those years or points of 

 time where information is deficient, I think that the deficiencies can be 

 theoretically supplied. 



Will you, then, I beseech you, by means of your Journal, engage your 

 readers to occupy themselves with this history of the seasons in America, 

 and to communicate to that work the result of their labors ? I observe in 

 No. 57, p. 182, (Vol. xxviii,) of your Journal, that New Haven possesses 

 meteorological observations for 70* years. 



Can you procure for me the thermometrical mean for December, for 

 each of those years ? I intend to prepare the history of the seasons back 

 as far as 1150; as far as regards America, I think it may be carried back 

 to the year 1500. 



5. Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries. — The labors of this enter- 

 prising and distinguished society merit an extended statement at our 

 hands, but owing to the pressure of other contributions, we are unable to 

 give more than a very brief notice. 



This society, as is well known, has its seat at Copenhagen, and ranks 

 among its members many eminent and efficient historical investigators of 

 various countries. Its primary object is to bring to light, and to publish 

 with the necessary illustrations, all ancient documents relating to the his- 

 tory and early literature of Scandinavia. It goes farther, and has, with 

 great zeal and ability, prosecuted its inquiries into the history of the 

 Northern adventurers in other countries, especially in America and in 

 the British isles. The society is one of the oldest antiquarian associa- 

 tions in Europe, and has been uncommonly active and successful. As a 

 partial result of its labors, it has already issued more than forty volumes, 



*The passage alluded to by M. Morin, mentioned the cold 70 years ago, but we 

 are not avvaie that the observations have been regularly continued ; we believe 

 they are tolerably continuous for the 40 years past. — Eds. 



