Meteorology. 161 
24th of August and four following days. Other forms of disease accom- 
pany these atmospheric conditions, such as premature uterine action, 
epistaxis, and diarrhea, with vomiting and cramps; and cases of this class 
are quoted by the author from his notes; and he remarks that it would 
thus appear that negative electricity plays an important part in the above 
atmospheric conditions and morbid actions. After describing the elec- 
trical phenomena of continued heavy rains, and of thunder storms and 
heavy showers of hail and snow, the author observes that as the electrical 
tension of the clouds which produce these storms and showers is always 
strong, it must have a coercive force upon all bodies at the earth’s surface ; 
and that as, according to our notions of electrical action, the moment the 
influence of the inducing body is removed, a re-arrangement of the 
electricities in the induced body takes place, we cannot well avoid the 
conclusion that during the period of induction, and when the re-arrange- 
ment—the rebound—the back stroke occurs, some important action must 
take place in the organic forces, such as the nervous and the muscular. 
Cases are quoted in illustration ; and the author then remarks that from a 
long series of observations it would appear that there is an intimate con- 
nection between hail and snow showers, stormy weather, atmospheric 
electricity, and certain forms of disease; and he ventures to add that hail 
and snow are formed under the influence of opposite electrical conditions, 
and concludes by suggesting the means of putting this opinion to the test, 
of experiment.—Proceed. of Lit. and. Phil. Society of Manchester. 
Tweeddale Prize for Meteorological Observations.—Much yet remains 
to be done by meteorologists ere we can predict what is to be the nature 
of the weather during any season. Dr Lindley justly remarks, ‘‘ For 
ourselves, we venture to think that meteorology is too much in its in- 
fancy to afford sufficient data on which to ground predictions of future 
weather with such a degree of accuracy as to make them of any great 
practical use. Situated as we are in the midst of the ocean, at so com- 
fortable a distance from the tropics, whence moisture is brought over in 
a moment, without any particular wind, or apparent cause, it seems to 
be peculiarly difficult, if not impracticable, to predict weather many hours 
before its occurrence.” 
By country people many meteorological phenomena have been ob- 
served from generation to generation, which give indications of weather. 
To some of these the Marquis of Tweeddale has recently called attention 
in the following circular :— 
“The observers intending to compete for the premium offered by the 
Marquis of Tweeddale, on temperature affecting exposed self-registering 
thermometers, are requested by his Lordship to pay attention to, and 
record the dates of, the following phenomena, for the observing of which 
no aid by instruments is required, and which are expected to be recorded 
only when any marked change takes place in the weather following the 
occurrence of any of the phenomena enumerated. These phenomena 
are :— 
“ Clowds, whether singly or in combination, their kinds—and espe- 
cially, whether a convergence of cirri or cirro-cumuli clouds (commonly 
called ‘mares’ tails,’ or ‘ mackerel sky’), at opposite points of the horizon, 
is followed in about twelve hours, in winter by snow, and in summer by 
rain ; and whether the line of such convergence is always at right angles 
to the direction of the wind. 
“ Sunrises and Sunsets—especially, whether, when the sun rises in red, 
and the colour or clouds subside behind him, it will be fair weather; and 
whether, when they rise before him, it will be rain. 
‘* Rainbows— especially, whether single rainbows, and in the afternoon, 
are indicative of fair weather, and double rainbows, and a rainbow in 
NEW SERIES.—VOL, XIV. NO. 1.—JuLy 1861. x 
