296 METEOROLOGICAL NOTES.-NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
the construction of tlio spectroscope, and the history of the discoveries 
which have been made by its aid are dealt with in the fullest and 
clearest manner. Throughout the book each chapter contains the latest 
reliable information on the subject of which it treats, and this is so 
put together, and the facts are so skilfully handled and massed, that 
the book, as a whole, is far more easy to understand than many an 
elementary text-book. The Misses Lassell have so translated the 
book that we cannot detect that it is a translation, while Capt. 
Abney’s own researches in this subject have enabled him to render 
valuable aid as editor. The illustrations are extremely satisfactory, 
such, alas, as we only find in scientific books of foreign origin. The 
frontispiece, however, a Woodburytype reproduction of Mr. Common’s 
magnificent photograph of the great nebula in Orion, we are proud to 
claim as of English origin throughout. As the most complete and 
exhaustive work on the subject, this book ought to be in every library. 
It does great credit to all who have been engaged in its production. 
W. J. H. 
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES.— August, 1885. 
Atmospheric pressure was unsteady during the month, the 
barometer falling, with slight checks, to the 10th, when the reading 
was 29*563 inches. A rapid rise followed to the 15tli, 30*350 inches, 
and unimportant fluctuations continued till the end of the month. 
Temperature was about four degrees below the average, lower in fact 
than that of any of the previous nine years, the deficiency being more 
especially noticeable in the maximum readings. The highest recorded 
were 78*5° at Henley-in-Arden, on the 17th ; 76-0° at Loughborough, on 
the 25th ; 71*8° at Hodsock, and 74*0° at Strelley, on the 16tli. In the 
rays of the sun, 133*9° at Loughborough, on the 15tli ; 128*8° at 
Hodsock, on the 6th ; and 125*0 at Strelley, on the 10th. The lowest 
minima were 35*0° at Henley-in-Arden, on the 14th; 36*3° at 
Hodsock, 36*6° at Strelley, and 37*9° at Loughborough, on the 15th. 
On the grass the mercury fell to 29*0° at Hodsock, 35*0° at Strelley, 
and 35*4° at Loughborough, also on the 15th. Rainfall was somewhat 
above the average, heavy showers being the principal factors in the 
total. The largest amounts measured were 0*78 inches at Lough¬ 
borough, on the 21st; 0*66 at Hodsock, on the 7tli ; 0*56 at Henley-in- 
Arden, on the 12th, and 0*47 at Strelley, on the 6tli. The total 
values were:— Henley-in-Arden, 2*90 inches; Loughborough, 2*83 
inches ; Hodsock, 2*58 inches ; Strelley, 2*02 inches. The number of 
“ rainy days ” varied from 13 to 10. Sunshine was much below the 
average. Thunderstorms occurred at Loughborough on the 6th and 
7tli. There was every prospect of an early harvest, but field operations 
have been much retarded by the unsettled state of the weather. 
Wm. Beuridge, F.R.Met.Soc. 
12, Victoria Street, Loughborough. 
Death’s Head Hawk Moth. —The larvae of Acherontia atiopos have 
occurred here (North Leicestershire) in some numbers during the 
last few weeks, the first seen for a number of years. The specimens 
found were scattered through this district in localities many miles 
