Reviews and Exlroi.ls. 
T ABLE 
SHEWING THE NUMBER OF FEET OF ALTITUDE CORRESPOM Ul KG TO THE 
DEPRKSSION OF THE BAROMETER. 
Depression. 
Altitude, in 
feet. 
Deprcsfion. 
Altitude, in 
leet. 
,1 
87 
,6 
5-27 
,2 
176 
,7 
616 
,•3 
262 
,8 
705 
,4 
350 
,9 
795 
,5 
439 
1 inch. 
885 
This may be useful to tlie Agriculturist and Horticulturist too, as the tem- 
perature diminishes the higher we ascend, causing a consequent diminution in 
the productiveness of the soil. 
When the Barometer is used within doors, the best situation for it is any 
room were the temperature is equal and not exposed to sunshine. 
2. — Magazine of Natural Hlstory ; edited by J. C. Loudon, 
F.L.S. &c. published every tw^o montljs, 8vo. 3s.t)d. 
Vol. IV. No. 20, for May, contains, 
Page 245.— Art. 13. — On the Temperature of the Atmosphere onthe different parts 
of the Earth's Surfucr, by Mr. W. H. White, H.M.C.S. 
He says tlio atmosphere is composed of a thin fluid mass of matter, which gravi- 
tates towards the earth, and revolves with it, both in its diurnal and annual 
motions; a knowledge of which serves to throw much light on the history and 
functions of the animal and vegetable creation, for it is throtigh this meditnn that 
heat, light, eleelricity, oxygen, and the great springs of vital phenomena are con- 
veyed to al! cl-.isscs of organized matter. It is by the means of this wonderful 
agent, that we gain the theory of respiration in all classes of creatures possessing 
animal life ; — ;t is by this we become acquainted with the migrations if animals, 
as well as with many of their peculiar instincts and habits. It is the atmosphere that 
enables us to account for the periodical changes in the plumage of birds, and furs 
of animals, and also the variety of colours to be found amongst them. It is by 
means of the elasticity of the atmosphere, that sounds and odours are transmitted 
to sensitive beings. " Had a uniform climate" he adds "been established over the 
face of the whole earth, wo should have been deprived of that beautiful variety of 
plants and animals which now strikes us with astonishment at every step. As the 
word c//^/'t'r", according to the Greek import, signifies to incline, or to slope, it 
was probably first adopted by the ancient geographers, to denote the difl'eront 
inclinations at which the rays of the sun fell upon the surface of the earth, and 
which they restricted to certain belts of the earth's surface, beginning at the 
equator and proceeding towards the poles. The distinction between one of tliese 
belts and another, or one climate and another, was a difl'erence of half aa hour in 
the length of the longest day. According to this division of the earth's siuface 
into climates, the difference of temperature and the difference of the length of the 
longest day, lost all proportion ; for it was soon discovered that the breadth of the 
first climate, that is, the one nearest the equator, measured 295 miles, while the 
twenty-second climate, or that in the northern part of England, measured less 
than 70 miles." 
However satisfactory this might be, to show the inclination of the solar. rays, it 
did not in any degree, point out how far the climates of these different latitudes, 
were favorable or iinfavorable to animal and vegetable existence. The ancient' 
