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is to draw the atmospheric current towards us, and at such times the pre- 
dictions are likely to be correct, but when our country is under the influence 
of an anti-cyclone, as the movement is outwards, it repels the advance of the 
storm towards us, and at such periods the predictions are not likely 
to be fulfilled. The storms that were predicted for the 16th to the 18th 
of this month we did not feel, that effect being due to an anti-cyclone passing 
over the country at the same time. Again, the diminution of temperature 
also affects rain. The air, when warmed, holds a larger amount of vapour. 
When it cools, rain is the result. Our temperature diminishes about one 
degree of latitude as we pass northwards. It diminishes also one degree for 
every 300 feet of elevation, so that, if 2,000 feet is the elevation at which the 
maximum of rain occurs in the neighbourhood of Whitehaven, the same 
condition of temperature would produce the same effect in the neighbourhood 
of London, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet, if w r e had hills of sufficient 
height in this neighbourhood to receive it. There is one point with reference 
to the influence of elevation on rainfall which ought not to be lost sight of, 
and that is, that although rain increases with the elevation of the ground, 
yet, if you go upwards from a particular spot, it is found to diminish. This 
would seem to be paradoxical, but in 1766 Dr. Herberden placed a rain- 
gauge on the roof of Westminster Abbey, and he found it collected less rain 
than on the ground, and since that period numerous observations have been 
made which confirm the results. This diminution of rain with altitude 
above the ground has been ascribed to a variety of causes, but the real cause 
is that shown by Professor John Phillips, of Oxford, who pointed out that it 
is due to the difference of angle at which the rain falls, or in an elevated gauge 
the rain forms a small angle with the plane of the mouth of the gauge, and 
consequently does not present so large an area for collection of rain as is the 
case with a gauge on or near the ground, in which the angle is found to be 
larger than in the elevated gauges. With regard to the influence of rain on 
health, some persons attribute disease to an excess of rainfall ; but in reality 
the intensity of disease in this country is always in proportion to the degree 
of dryness that has prevailed, and I may point to the fact that during the 
last four years we have had four remarkably wet seasons, and these years 
have all been remarkably good as far as the public health is concerned. 
Dr. A. Longhurst. — There can be no doubt whatever that we are all 
most materially influenced by atmospheric phenomena. The vegetable 
world shows the effects of this influence in all its features, especially the 
electrical conditions and all sudden and extreme changes of heat and cold, 
dryness and moisture, both of degree and duration ; and doubtless the 
animal kingdom is equally sensitive to them, though the outward evidence of 
such change or influence may be less sensibly recognised by us. I think we 
ought to be grateful to the writer of the paper we have heard read for 
having brought the subject to our notice, and I feel sure that the 
more it is studied the more the human race will be benefited. With 
regard to the influence of the rainfall on health, I feel sure that great 
advantage will result from what has been said, and that there are many 
