NATURAL HISTORY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 329 
the dykes and marshes, around both Minas Basin and Cumber- 
land Basin, still recall the great tide, and the destruction of 
their dykes thereby. 
Fourth, as to the origin of the name. It is popularly known 
that the gale was named for a person by whom it was pre- 
dicted; and it is believed in New Brunswick that the predic- 
tion, because of its exact fulfilment, was a very wonderful 
performance. Few, however, can give any definite idea of 
who Saxby was, nor do the biographical dictionaries yield 
any enlightenment; and it is only through the kind interest 
and aid of Professor Cleveland Abbe that I have been able 
to obtain any accurate information about him. Professor 
Abbe sends me a letter from W. H. Shaw of the Meteorological 
Office of South Kensington, London, which reads as follows.: — 
Saxby was an instructor of Naval Engineers who believed firmly in th 
lunar influence on weather and was bold enough to write a book in defence 
of his predictions, the second edition of which was issued by Longman, Green 
& Company in 1864. In the book he gives a list of weather warnings up to 
January 1st, 1866. He appears also to have issued an annual weather table, 
a copy of which for 1878 is in the Office Library. As there are four or five 
days in every month, separated by intervals of about seven days, on which 
changes are predicted, and three or four days on which intense disturbances 
are to be expected, it would be surprising if no coincidences with fact were 
ound. 
Saxby is commonly said to have been a lieutenant of the 
Royal Navy, which would seem to be confirmed by his posi- 
tion as Instructor of Naval Engineers. But Professor Abbe 
informs me that his book above mentioned gives his name 
simply as 5. M'. Saxby, Esq., Royal Navy. Apparently, though 
connected with the Navy he was not an officer, for in response 
to my inquiry made to the Admiralty office at London concern- 
ing' him, I have received the following reply: — 
The Secretary of the Admiralty presents his compliments to Professor 
W. F. Ganong, and in reply to his letter of the 10th inst., begs to inform 
him that there is no trace of a Lieutenant of the name Saxby having served 
in the Royal Navy at the date mentioned. 
I have not been able to find any printed statement of 
Saxby’s prediction of our gale, but I infer from statements 
