430 METEOROLOGICAL REPORT, 1869, 



RAINFALL RETURNS. 



The editor is glad to be able to report an increase in the num- 

 ber of observers of the Eainfall ; and returns from most of the 

 places named on page 240 of last year's report have been pro- 

 mised. But there are still some gaps in the map of our rain- 

 fall stations which need to be filled up. The higher parts of 

 the Cheviot range form one of these districts. If any members 

 of the Club can succeed in inducing some of the more intelligent 

 shepherds, or others who are more or less constantly on the 

 hills, to take charge of guages, the editor will gladly supply 

 them free of charge if the men are unable to pay for them, and 

 the means of supplying them cannot otherwise be met. 



Some very interesting experiments in connection with the 

 condition of the rain, as it falls in our large towns and in the 

 less inhabited parts of the country have been made and pub- 

 lished by Dr. Angus Smith, the Inspector appointed under the 

 Alkali Act of 1863. Through the kindness of the editor of 

 "Scientific Opinion" the accompanying wood engravings, ex- 

 hibiting the crystals obtained from rain-water by Dr. Angus 

 Smith, are appended. The results thus far of the various experi- 

 ments may thus be summed up. They are especially interesting 

 to those in our district whose lives are spent in the neighbour- 

 hood of great industrial works. 



1. — The rain from the sea, obtained from the western islands 

 of Scotland, contains chiefly common salt, which crystalizes 

 clearly. 



2. — The rain contains sulphates in larger proportion to the 

 chlorides than is found in sea water. This is true from Central 

 Germany to the most northern Hebrides. 



8. — The sulphates increase inland before large towns are 

 reached. They seem to be a measure of the products of de- 

 composition, the sulphuretted hydrogen from organic compounds 

 being oxydised in the atmosphere. (In other words, Dr. Smith 

 thinks that as he found chlorides, with proper deductions, to be 

 a measure of the sewage, however old in water, so he believes 



