84 Richard Adie, Esq., on an Improvement in 



supplies of food ; these in turn are the prey of fishes ; these 

 last contribute to the support of sea mammalia and birds. 



After bestowing considerable pains on this family, still I 

 cannot write with full confidence regarding some of the 

 species. Improvements in high powers of the microscope 

 reveal the necessity of paying greater attention to the minute 

 markings of the surface in addition to mere external form. 

 The recent investigations of the Rev. W. Smith, in reference 

 to such characters of British species, shew the importance of 

 this, and in some measure detract from the general value of 

 Professor Kutzing's useful work, the only one on the subject 

 to which I have access here. — (Sutherland's Journal.) 



On an Improvement in Bikes' Self -Registering Thermometer. 

 By Richard Adie, Esq., Liverpool. Communicated by the 

 Author. (With a Plate.) 



The want of a self-registering thermometer, easily kept 

 in working order, is still felt among a portion of the pub- 

 lic. The instrument invented by Dr Rutherford is ex- 

 cellent so long as it remains in the hands of parties con- 

 nected with observatories, who from their daily practice be- 

 come skilful in the use of delicate instruments. A proof of 

 this is, that Rutherford's thermometers may be often seen 

 at observatories in good order after many years' constant use ; 

 but when transferred from thence to the hall, the parsonage, 

 or the farm offices, several sources of derangement soon be- 

 come manifest, which those usually in charge of registers in 

 these places cannot control ; hence a very general feeling 

 of disfavour has of late years been shewn towards this form 

 of registering thermometers. 



The self-registering thermometer invented by Sikes has 

 been long before the public, enjoying a variable degree of 

 favour. In works on meteorology it is described without 

 a notice, however, of a source of error in its readings, to 

 which it is my wish in the present communication to call 

 attention, and to suggest a remedy. The instrument, as at 



