286 



EEPOETS FEO:^ THE SECTI02s"S. 



Hou. L. F. De Salis, M.L.C, referred to a periodicity 

 apparent in tlie recurrence of meteorological phenomena in this 

 Colony, and promised to return to the subject at greater length 

 at next meeting of the Section. Mr. E. Du Eaur, in supporting 

 Mr. De Salis's view, instanced the remarkable changes that have 

 been observed in Lake George, as an example of the periodicity 

 theory advanced by Mr. De Salis. After further discussion the 

 meeting terminated. 



WEDIS^ESDAY, 26 JULY, 1876. 

 Mr. H. C. Etjssell, E.E.A.S., in the Chair. 



Hon. L. E. De Salis, M.L.C, read a paper on "Lunar Influence 

 on the "Weather and Eeriodicity of the Seasons." He stated that 

 scientific investigation into the causes which control the weather 

 was one of high practical utility to the Colony, and was well 

 deserving of the Section's attention. Throuo;hout recent scientific 

 works there are several assertions that periodicity has been traced 

 in important weather changes around the Mauritius, coincident with 

 the periodic changes that take place in the sun. After suggesting 

 that lunar influence was not a fable of olden times, and referring 

 to Saxby's theories, which however were not generally accepted 

 by the late Admiral Eitzroy and men of his calibre, Mr. De Salis 

 remarked from his own observations during a colonial lifetime 

 that our winds veered round in direction contrary to the cyclonic 

 rule, during a period equalling in time a quarter lunation. Mr. 

 De Salis referred to several instances where this rule was 

 apparently confirmed. He also noticed that besides this monthly 

 influence there was one traceable to the lunar cycle of 19 years 

 or its half period of 9| years when the moon's position was 

 analogous to the changes at full and new in the ordinary lunation 

 of 29 days. He pointed out that the floods on the Murrumbidgee in 

 18-14, 1852-3, 1861-2, and 1870-1-2, were in strong confirmation 

 of the existence of this period. A co-operation in the observation 

 of Australian climatology was strongly urged, and the example of 

 the United States expending £300,000 on Meteorology was 

 quoted as being worthy of imitation. A proportionate sum for 

 the united Australian Colonies would only amount to £20,000. 



In the discussion which followed the reading of Mr. De Salis's 

 paper, — 



Mr. EussELL said he had given the matter great attention ; he 

 formerly advocated the 19 year period, and had afterwards 

 abandoned it ; but recent facts in confirmation had so pressed 

 themselves upon him that he felt compelled to adopt the theory 

 once more. 



After further discussion the meeting terminated. 



Eleven members were present. 



