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and thrushes were killed by the frost ; and that the large 

 titmouse continued to pull straw lengthwise from the 

 eaves of thatched houses and barns in a most adroit 

 manner, for a purpose that has been explained already.* 



On the 3rd of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer 

 within doors, in a close parlour where there was no fire, 

 fell in the night to 20, and on the 4th to 18, and the 7th 

 to 17 J, a degree of cold which the owner never since saw 

 in the same situation ; and he regrets much that he was 

 not able at that juncture to attend his instrument abroad. 

 All this time the wind continued north and north-east ; 

 and yet on the eighth roost-cocks, which had been silent, 

 began to sound their clarions, and crows to clamour, as 

 prognostic of milder weather ; and, moreover, moles 

 began to heave and work, and a manifest thaw took place. 

 From the latter circumstance we may conclude that thaws 

 often originate under ground from warm vapours which 

 arise ; else how should subterraneous animals receive 

 such early intimations of their approach ? Moreover, we 

 have often observed that cold seems to descend from 

 above ; for, when a thermometer hangs abroad in a frosty 

 night, the intervention of a cloud shall immediately raise 

 the mercury ten degrees ; and a clear sky shall again 

 compel it to descend to its former gauge. 



And here it may be proper to observe, on what has 

 been said above, that though frosts advance to their 

 utmost severity by somewhat of a regular gradation, yet 

 thaws do not usually come on by as regular a declension 

 of cold ; but often take place immediately from intense 

 freezing ; as men in sickness often mend at once from a 

 paroxysm. 



To the great credit of Portugal laurels and American 

 junipers, be it remembered that they remained untouched 



* See letter xli. to Mr. Pennant. 



