11 
on the Bates of Chronometers. 
This circumstance, taken in conjunction with some other phe- 
nomena which 1 have lately noticed, would seem to countenance 
the opinion, that the influence of magnetism is sometimes only 
of a temporary kind ; and that a chronometer frequently returns 
to its original rate, as soon as the exciting cause is removed. 
In a great number of instances, I have found the change of rate 
to have been immediate, both from a considerable gaining rate 
to one of a great diminution ; and, on the contrary, from a great 
decrement to a large increment It would be an interesting 
question tp determine, if the sea and land rates of chronometers 
are, in the generality of cases, immediately acquired. From 
the few observations which I have had an opportunity of mak- 
ing, this would seem to be the case ; and Mr Fisher, in his in- 
teresting paper in the Philosophical Transactions for 181^0, seems 
almost to countenance the idea. 
Plymouth, I 
October 10. 1823. | 
Art. 11,’— ‘Description of the Whirlwind a\ Scarborough on 
the 24^/fc June 1823. By John Dunn, Esq. Fellow of the 
Royal College • of Surgeons, London. Communicated by 
the Author. 
The extraordinary, and to many even alarming, meteoric 
phenomenon which occurred at Scarborough in the afternoon of 
the 24th of June, induced me to make every exertion in collect- 
ing such facts respecting it as could be depended upon. The 
various conflicting accounts which I received from above twen- 
ty witnesses, have been carefully balanced together ; and al- 
though I had only the good fortune to observe its effects, yet 
the materials I now present to you will, I trust, be found tole- 
rably accurate. 
After a fortnight of very boisterous, and, for this period of the 
year, extremely cold weather, the wind having kept steadily to 
the N. and NE., and the thermometer as low as 53° Fahr., a 
thunder-storm burst from the west at a little before 3 in the 
afternoon. One of the reports was very loud, and awfully 
