58 Tho Rev. 11. Abbay on Remarkable 



the last three years. As compared with the composition in 

 1863 and 18(>7," tho most striking difference is exhibited in 

 the quantity of potash, which is less than one seventh of the 

 amount observed in the latter year. The amount of lime is 

 also considerably less ; and the diminution in both constituents 

 is accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the amount of 

 chlorine. The amount of barium salt in the water is un- 

 usually large, and appears to be increasing. So far as is 

 known, no mineral springs in this country or on the Continent 

 contain so large a proportion of this substance as the Harro- 

 gate waters. The quantity, indeed, in the Old Sulphur Well is 

 as large as the entire amount of soluble matter contained in 

 many of the waters used for domestic supply in our towns. 

 So potent an agent present in such large proportion must un- 

 doubtedly exercise considerable influence on the therapeutic 

 action of the water ; and therefore it is highly desirable that 

 the determination of its amount should be repeated from time 

 to time. 



VII. Remarkable Atmospheric Phenomena in Ceylon. By 

 the Eev. R. Abbay, M.A.* 



ONE of the most startling and extraordinary of all atmo- 

 spheric phenomena may be seen during fine w T eather 

 from the summit of Adam's Peak in Ceylon. This mountain 

 rises extremely abruptly from the low country, and by its 

 elevation of 7200 feet above the sea commands a most exten- 

 sive and map-like view of all the low lands to the south-west 

 and north-west for a distance of 50 miles or more up to the 

 sea coast. The upper part of the mountain is an acute cone 

 of solid rock, some 2000 feet or more in height, that rises in 

 perfect isolation above the range of which it forms a part, and 

 also above all the neighbouring mountains to the east and 

 north. The phenomenon, which is described by all who have 

 witnessed it as of the most striking character, is seen at sun- 

 rise, and consists apparently of an enormous elongated shadow 

 of the mountain projected to the westward, not only over the 

 land but over the sea, to a distance of 70 or 80 miles. As 

 the sun rises higher it rapidly approaches the mountain, and 

 appears at the same time to rise before the spectator in the 

 form of a gigantic pyramid of shadow. Distant objects, a 

 hill or a river (or even Colombo itself, at a distance of 45 

 miles), may be distinctly seen through it, lighted up by the 

 sunlight, diffused most probably by the surrounding illuminated 

 atmosphere ; so that the shadow is not really a shadow on the 

 * Communicated by the Physical Society (read May 27). 



