1851.] Influence of the Moon on the Weather, 275 



Circumference of face measuring across the forehead, down 



the right cheek, under the chin and up the left cheek, 21 6 

 A line following the profile from the summit of the tri- 

 angular ornament on the head to the throat, 14 4 



Note.-— Taking the head as Jth of the entire hody or figure we 

 have 6 ft. 7 in. X 8 ft. = 52 ft. 8 in. as the height of the figure. 



This piece of sculpture, although within thirty miles of the Ganges, 

 is seldom visited, and has not been seen by more than half a dozen 

 Europeans. 



Influence of the Moon on the Weather. By J. Middleton, Esq. 



F. G. S. 



The following reductions, and the observations on which they are 

 based, have been made, during the past year, with a view to ascertain 

 to what extent, if any, the lunar phases influence the weather. It is 

 at first sight easier to admit, than to reject the belief, that the moon 

 may, by the production of atmospheric tides, assist in bringing about 

 changes in the weather ; but then it is to be considered that electrical 

 development, and other causes of disturbance, must be sufficiently 

 potent to neutralize or mask, generally speaking, the effects of the 

 moon. This must be especially the case in mountainous countries, 

 where oceanic currents are subject to frequent alteration of temperature 

 and direction. It occurred to me, therefore, that few places can be 

 better situated than this for determining the lunar influence, if any ; 

 since disturbances arising from irregularities of surface are almost 

 entirely eliminated ; while the wind having a normal direction 

 throughout the year, viz., from west to east, would render particular 

 changes more easy of detection. 



Reductions of observations at Greenwich, extending over several 

 years, were, I believe, made sometime ago with a similar view, and 

 gave negative results ; but I have no opportunity of reference to 

 them. I observe also by a notice in the Philosophical Journal received 

 by last mail, that Professor Airy has lately read a paper before the 

 Royal Society on the same subject, and leading to the same conclusion. 

 His observations, like the former, no doubt, extended over a long 

 period, and therefore may be looked upon as conclusive so far as the 

 place at which they were made is concerned. The question, however, 



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