20$ 



NATITRE or THE INTERVERTEBRAL SUBSTANCE. 



objects present, espeqially any large expanse of water. I 

 cannot describe it better than by saying it is like a picture 

 very highly varnished. Another characteristic circumstance 

 in a transparent atmosphere is the appearance of smoke as 

 it ascends from a chimney ; it mounts up for a considerable 

 height in nearly a straight line, and in a slender column, 

 and is a much longer time than usual in diffusing itself 

 through the air. The sun frequently sets with a degree of 

 mist, but often surrounded by the most brilliant colours, 

 and for some time after its orb has disappeared, the whole 

 horizon exhibits an extremely delicate lilac or violet tinge. 

 Swnofrain Every one who has not been in the habit of minutely at- 

 tending to the states of the atmosphere is ready to exclaim, 

 that the weather has every appearance of being settled, and 

 that we are at least certain of the following day being fine. 

 My observations however lead me to the conclusion, that 

 there is no more infallible sign of a change of weather, than 

 one of these transparent evenings. 



Liverpool, Feb. 5, 1810. 



^To be continued,/ 



On the Nature of the intervertebral Substance in Fish and 

 Quadrupeds. By Everard Home, Esq. F. R. S.* 



Ftealiarity \n 



JLN examining the internal structure of a squalusmaximus 

 the spine of of Linnaeus, that lately came under my observation, a de- 

 scription of which will be the subject of a future paper, I 

 met with a peculiarity in the intervertebral substance of the 

 spine not hitherto made known to the public. 

 Fluid in die The fish is thirty feet six inches long, the diameter of the 

 Mitervertebral larger vertebrae near the head, seven inches. The interver- 

 tebral substance was cut into by Mr. Clift four days after 

 the fish was brought on shore, and a limpid fluid rushed 



* Philos. Trans, for 1809, p. 177. 



