100 
would be at a minimum at other stations. Moreover, it 
seemed very probable that if the daily range of tempera- 
ture is sensibly influenced by the position of the moon with 
respect to the sun, other elements, as the amount of cloud, 
the mean daily temperature, direction of the wind, &c., 
would also be found to be subject to changes in a period 
corresponding to that of the moon’s synodical revolution. 
I therefore in the first instance selected for examination the 
observations which have been regularly and carefully made 
at the Southport meteorological observatory since the 1st of 
July, 1871. From the open position of the observatory, 
removed many miles from hills or high land, the observa- 
tions are less likely to be affected by disturbing influences 
than at stations less favourably situated, 
The following table shows the mean daily range of 
temperature on the days of full moon, and two days before, 
and two days after, during the winters of the years 1871-8, 
and also the mean daily range on the days of new moon, 
and two days before, and two days after, during the same 
winters : — - 
Winters of 
Mean daily Range of Temperature 
on days of 
Full Moon. New Moon, 
Difference. 
Full— New. 
1871-2 
9 ‘09 
10-28 
- 1*19 
1872-3 
9*41 
8-56 
+ 0-86 
1873-4 
8-05 
9-21 
-IT 6 
1874-5 
10-35 
9-96 
+ 0-39 
1875-6 
9-37 
8-39 
+ 0-98 
1876-7 
11-58 
9-08 
+ 2-50 
1877-8 
9-66 
9-33 
+ 0-33 
Means 
9-64 
9-26 
+ 0-38 
It appears, therefore, that at Southport during the winter 
months the daily range of temperature is on the average 
greater on the days of full moon than on the days of new 
moon, a result the reverse of that derived by Dr. Stewart 
from the Kew observations, and confirming the view stated 
