318 
MR. J. WELSH’S ACCOUNT OF METEOROLOGICAL 
thus appear that, within the height reached by us, the air was moving from south ^ 
at an average rate of about 38 miles an hour. A violent thunder-storm, with heavy 
rain, occurred about two hours after the descent took place, some symptoms of 
which were at one time noticed from the balloon at a great distance. 
In this ascent it was found impossible to use the aspirator, which was too large 
when two persons were seated. The free dry and wet thermometers weie regularly 
observed. Some specimens of air were collected during the descent, and supplied to 
Dr. Miller. 
Second Ascent, August 26.— The wind on the 25th blew strongly from the west, 
but lulled in the evening. On the 26th it blew from east with moderate force ; the 
sky was to a small extent obscured by detached masses of cumulus, and the sun 
shone brightly. The ascent took place at 4^ 43“ p.m., and observations were com- 
menced at 4^ 46 “. The clouds were again passed without being perceived, their height, 
however, was estimated at 3000 feet: above this height no clouds were met with, the 
sky being exceedingly clear and of a very deep blue colour. The currents of air passed 
through seem to have been from various directions, but generally moving with little 
rapidity. On leaving Vauxhali the balloon was at first carried towards the west for about 
2 miles: when it reached the height of 5000 or 6000 feet it begaif to move slowly 
towards N.N.E. for about 4 miles, until about 5*^ 25“, at an elevation of 12,000 feet, 
the direction of its motion, which was still for some time very slow, became W.N.W. ; 
this direction it seems to have maintained during the remainder of the ascent, and 
probably with increased rapidity. The descent commenced at 7*’ 0™, and the balloon 
reached the earth at 7^ 35“ p.m. near Chesham in the county of Bucks, about 25 miles 
W.N.W. of London. On this occasion all the instruments were regularly observed : 
some difficulty was experienced in the observation of Regnaults hygrometei, as the 
force of the aspirator was not sufficient to produce the great degree of cold required 
for the deposition of dew. This was remedied by Mr. Nicklin, who, at the cost of 
some exertion, maintained an increased strain upon the aspirator during the observa- 
tions. The sun shone brightly throughout the ascent. Specimens of air were again 
collected during the descent. 
Third Ascent, October 21.— The weather had for a fortnight previously been fine, 
with an easterly wind ; on the 19th the barometer began to fall and the east wind 
ceased ; on the 20th the weather was fine, the air at the surface being calm, and the 
high clouds moving from S.W. : a fog existed on the night of the 20th, which slowly 
disappeared on the morning of the 21st, leaving the air in a very calm state and 
with some haze. A dense mass of cloud covered the sky, one or tAvo slight showers 
falling about 10 a.m. I was the only observer on this occasion. The ascent com- 
menced at 2^ 45“ P.M., and the balloon rose at first nearly vertically, but soon began 
to move towards E.N.E. Between the heights of 1000 and 2800 feet various detached 
and irregular masses of loose scud were encountered, but the balloon had not com- 
pletely entered the dense mass of cloud till the height of nearly 3000 feet. At a 
