IN THE SOLAK SYSTEM. 



99 



Our theory teaches us that ethereal influence causes two maxima of heat in a year, oc- 

 curring in the months of August and November; also a maximum of cold in the month 

 of March, and a lesser degree of cold in September. 



The first three phenomena are of sufficient intensity to be distinctly evident to our senses. 



The object of this paper is to point out the periods when accessions of heat and the 

 occurrence of cold from ethereal influence are likely to take place ; not to limit the time 

 when they arc possible. 



As the sun's equator is only inclined by seven degrees to the ecliptic, it is not likely 

 that any part of the earth's orbit is wholly beyond the influence of the ascending mass of 

 ether. 



I have certainly observed in the months of February and April, days in which the red- 

 ness of the sun, the warmth and peculiar opacity of the air, called to mind the features of 

 the Indian summer. 



In discussing the question of the possible influence of comets upon our planet, M. Arago 

 mentions the occurrence, on two occasions, of the phenomenon of dry fogs. The first was 

 in the year 1783, began on the 18th June, was observed over the whole globe at the same 

 time, and lasted more than a month.* 



The second, occurred in the year 1831. It was observed first on the coast of Africa, 

 August 3d; at Odessa, August 9th; in Trance, August, 10th; in New York, August 

 15th; in China, the end of August. 



With regard to the fog of 1783, M. Arago mentions two explanations proposed by 

 Franklin. 1st. The dissemination by winds of the smoke of Mount Hccla, which was 

 in eruption during the whole summer. 2d. The imperfect combustion in our atmosphere 

 of an immense meteor. 



Any one having faith in the theory I have endeavored to establish, on noticing the time 

 of the year when the dry fog of 1831 occurred, would certainly ascribe it to a cause identi- 

 cal with that which produces the opacity in the air during the continuance of the dog days. 



The proposed combustion of the meteor in our atmosphere, seems to me a weak point 

 in Franklin's hypothesis, because, if a combustion had occurred of sufficient magnitude to 

 fill the whole earth with its smoke, it is remarkable that the light and other results of 

 combustion were not observed. 



My own belief is, that in both instances the obscurity was caused by an emanation from 

 the sun, transported to the earth by the ascending current of ether, and the phenomena 

 were closely allied in character to the seasons of warmth known as the dog days, and the 

 Indian summer. 



* Astronomic Populairc, vol. ii, chap. 36. 



