ALLISON ON THE METEOROLOGY OF HALIFAX. 179 



The mean amount of sky obscured was 6.0, which corresponds 

 exactly with the mean of 5 consecutive years. 



W, N. W. winds exceeded any other, with an average speed of 

 10.10 miles per hour. The rain fall — 41.31 inches — was slightly 

 deficient > but snow, of which we had 97.3 inches in its new fallen 

 condition, exceeded its normal by 22.1 inches. The total precipi- 

 tation, measuring rain and melted snow, was 51.14 inches. Of 

 days completely dry we had 220 — average being 206. 



I observed 54 auroras, — 26 gales, — 57 fogs, — 88 dews, — 43 

 hoar frosts, — 6 tliunders, — 7 lightnings, — 3 hails, — 7 rainbows, — 

 10 lunar halos, — 15 lunar corona, — 1 solar halo; and on 48 days 

 only had we sleighing. 



I will now take up the second branch of these meteorological 

 notes : 



I propose this evening to examine a few of the popular beliefs 

 and sayings concerning the w^eather, and to endeavour to show how 

 far these may be correct or otherwise. 



First, with regard to that much discussed luminary — our moon. 

 By some all weather changes are referred to that source. Others 

 limit its influence by looking thither for prognostications of bad 

 weather only. For ages the connections of the moon's position 

 relative to the earth, and its appearance as seen through our atmos- 

 phere, have swayed the minds of men always ; by instinct, 

 peering into the veiled future. When we consider the undoubted 

 relationship of the moon to the ocean tides, we cannot deny it an 

 influence over our own planet as yet uncomprehended. On the 

 other hand, knowing that temperature is the base of ail meteorologi- 

 cal conditions, and that the effect of the direct moonlight upon a 

 thermometer fully exposed to it, and free from terrestrial radiation, 

 is scarcely appreciable, I cannot adhere to the popular theories 

 concerning dispersion and accumulation of cloud being largely 

 attributable to the moon's apparent size. Upon the first thought, 

 one considerino; that where there is lio-ht there ouolit to be sensible 

 heat — an erroneous supposition — would infer that the cloud vapours 

 should be rolled away by the moonlight ; and in some places it is a 

 common saying at or near the time of full moon that it will not rain, 

 or snow much, as * ' the moon is too big." This is a complete fallacy ; 



