192 Miscellanies. 



electric action manifests itself by a lively spark, the force and sound 

 of which are greater in proportion to the magnetic intensity at the 

 closing of the circuit. 



With an element formed of a small plate or wire of zinc, inserted 

 in a canal of copper of any form, containing acidulated water, tempo- 

 rary magnets and strong electro-magnetic sparks may be procured, 

 from which it may not be difficult to derive some advantage. 



In fact, with an element composed of simple wires of zinc and 

 copper, twisted into spirals, all the experiments may be made rela- 

 tive to attractions and repulsions, electro-dynamic currents, and tem- 

 porary magnets. — Abstracted from the Bib. Univ., Aout. 1833. 



24. Influence of the Moon on the weather ; — substance of a paper 

 read at the Natural History Society of Geneva, in October, 1833, by 

 F. Marcet. — On the question whether the moon has any influence 

 over the weather or not, there are two opposite opinions j the great 

 mass of the people, including sailors, boatmen, and most practical 

 farmers, entertain no doubt whatever of the influence of the moon ; 

 whether the change of weather at the lunar phases will be from fair 

 to foul, or from foul to fair, none of them pretend to decide before- 

 hand, but most of them think, that at the new and full moon, there 

 is generally a change of some kind. On the other hand, philoso- 

 phers, astronomers, and the learned in general, attribute this opinion 

 altogether to popular prejudice. Finding no reason, in the nature of 

 atmospheric tides, for believing that changes should take place on 

 one day of the lunation rather than another, they consider the popu- 

 lar opinion to be unsupported by any extended series of correct ob- 

 servation. 



In the Annuaire for 1833, Arago, the learned editor, has present- 

 ed the result of the observations of Schubler, in Germany, during 

 28 years, or 348 synodic revolutions of the moon. During this pe- 

 riod of 348 new moons, &c. the number of rainy days were as fol- 

 lows : — 



It rained, on the day of the new moon, 148 times. 



Do. do. first quarter, 156 " 



Do. do. full moon, 162 " 



Do. do. last quarter, 130 " 



The observations of Schubler were made, during 8 years, at Munich, 



4 years at Stuttgard, and 16 years* at Augsburg. 



