GEOLOGY OF MADEIRA. Qy 



facts, and to analogy, must be considered inadmissabl e ac- 

 cording to the ^tl;ct piincipl of experinjental inquiry, A 

 few of the circumstances opposed to it may be thus staled : 



1st. The number of falling stars, and their frequent , but 

 not constant appearance. 



2d. The rapidity of their motion. 



3d. Their transient duration. 



4th. Their occurrence in a cloudy state of the atmosphere. 



5th. Their occurrence when the bright light of the moon 

 renders many small stars and planets invisible. 



6th. Their appearance m the lower as well as higher strata 

 of the atmosphere. 



From the extensive observations I have made many other 

 particulars might be stated, but I trust what has been ad- 

 vanced will convince your correspondent of the fallacy of his 

 hypothesis, and I caanot but lament he should have stated 

 ■with such apparent satisfaction the discontinuance of a re- 

 ference to these phenomena in Mr. Foster's valuable meteor- 

 ological observations ; agreeing, as I imagine every candid 

 inquirer will, in the propriety of Mr. Foster's remark, ** that 

 *' it is only by repeated and accurate observations of a 

 ** multitude of phenomena, the science of meteorology can 

 ** be brought to its required perfection." 

 I remain, sir. 



With great regard, yours, &c. 

 Princes street, Cavendish square^ G. J. SINGER, 



August the 10th. 1812. 



VI. 



Sketch of the Geology of Madeira : hy the Hon, Henry Grey 

 Ben NET. In a letter addressed to G. B. Greenough, 

 Esq,y F. R. S. Pres. G. S*. 



Ti 



HE following notes were taken during a short stay I Geology of 

 made last summer in the island of Madeira. As there ap- Madeira little 

 pears to be but little known of the structure, or of the phe- 



* Trans, of the Geolog. See. vol. I, p. 391. 



