260 The (jfreat Auk still found in Iceland. 



1849, the mortality was equivalent to 32*2 deaths per 1000, or 

 one in every 31 persons; in 1850, to 24-9 deaths per 1000, or 

 one in every 40 individuals; in 1851, to 23*4 deaths per 1000, or 

 one death in every 42*6 inhabitants ; in 1852, to exactly 23 deaths 

 per 1000, or one in every 43*3 persons ; and, in 1853, the mortality 

 was at the rate of 22*6 deaths per 1000, or one death in every 44 

 inhabitants. The average number of deaths in the 14 years end- 

 ing with 1852, is 495, which, with an assumed mean population of 

 18,143, gives 27*2 deaths per 1000, or one in every 36*6 persons. 



According to the Registrar-General, the annual average rate of 

 mortality for the kingdom, from 1843 to 1852, is, in towns, 25*8 

 per 1000, and in the country districts, 20 3 per 1000 persons. 

 These figures shew that, prior to 1850, the rate of mortality in 

 Whitehaven was not only absolutely excessive, but relatively so to 

 that of the principal towns in England. 



The tables showing the annual, monthly, and maximum daily 

 fall of rain at Seathwaite, in the heart of the English Lake Dis- 

 trict, during the last nine years, require very little comment. The 

 greatest fall in any year was 160-9 inches, in 1847, — the least, 

 113-7 inches, in 1853. 



The greatest monthly fall was 32-83 inches, in December 1852. 

 The greatest depth measured in 24 hours was 6*62 inches, in No- 

 vember 1845; and, in 48 consecutive hours, 9*62 inches, on the 

 25th and 26th of November, 1845, and 9*74 inches on the 8th and 

 9th of October, 1846. 



The Observatory, Whitehaven, 

 28th January 1854. 



The Great Auk still found in Iceland. 



The Great Auk (Gar-Fogel, Sw. ; Alca impennis, Linn.) 

 This remarkable bird — the largest of its tribe, being the size 

 of the common tame goose — which at no period of its exist- 

 ence is able to fly, resembles greatly the penguins of the 

 southern hemisphere, the link between birds and amphi- 

 bious animals. Although at one time, according to ancient 

 authors, it belonged to the Scandinavian fauna, it cannot 

 now be considered as entitled to a place there. The last 

 heard of on the coast of the peninsula was killed in the Cat- 

 tegat, near to the town of Marstrand, some fifty or sixty 

 years ago. About the same period, Denicken tells us, one 

 was shot in the harbour of Keil, in Holstein. 



