of the so-called Storm-glass, 95 



vial;" and it is further added that "there are many imitations 

 more or less incorrectly made." 



The important services which this glass is said to afford to 

 meteorology render it desirable to know which is the imitation 

 and which the incorrect instrument. 



In f The Druggist's General Receipt Book/ by Henry Beasley,. 

 fifth edition, 1861, page 428, the following recipe is given:—- 

 "Take 2-J drachms camphor, 38 grains nitre, and 38 grains 

 of sal-ammoniac, dissolve in 9 drachms water and 6 drachms 

 of rectified spirit with a gentle heat. The mixture is to be put 

 into a long glass tube and closed with a brass cap with a small 

 hole in it to admit air, or in an eau-de-cologne or other long 

 bottle tied over with bladder." The account goes on to state that 

 the various changes of the storm-glass " are supposed to indicate 

 changes of weather, but the indications are not to be relied on." 



It will be seen that the above directions do not agree with 

 Admiral FitzRoy's, that the glass be hermetically sealed. 



In the last edition of f Ure's Dictionary of Arts/ &c, edited 

 by Mr. Robert Hunt, under the head Camphor Storm-glasses 

 a similar recipe is given, except that 11 instead of 7 drachms of 

 rectified spirits of wine are prescribed ; and it is stated, on the 

 authority of Dr. Parrion, that " the weather-predicting qualities 

 of the instrument are false, and that light is the agent which, 

 together with temperature, influences the condition." 



I have been unable to ascertain where Dr. Parrion's paper is 

 published, nor have I succeeded in tracing the history of the 

 instrument. Admiral FitzRoy states that " considerably more 

 than a century ago what were called ( storm-glasses * were made 

 in this country. Who was the inventor is now very uncertain ; 

 but they were sold on old London Bridge, at the sign of the 'Goat 

 and Compasses/ " 



Some years ago I purchased a storm-glass at an instrument- 

 maker's shop in Hatton Garden, and received with it a paper, of 

 which the following is a copy : — 



"Chemical Weather-glass, usually called a storm-glass, 

 which will correctly indicate the coming rain, high wind, storm, 

 or tempest. 



" This instrument will be preferable to others on account of 

 its portability and cheapness. 



" Indications. 



" 1st. For fine weather, the substance will be low and smooth 

 at the bottom. 



" 2nd. For rain, the substance will rise gradually in the shape 

 of feathers. 



" 3rd. For high wind or storm, the substance will rise as above, 



