1808.] Meteorological Report. ye os 
discernible. In the’ night of the 29th, we had a heavy gale from the 8. W. with much 
rain. r 
The tide rose one day so unusually high in our rivers, that the salt-water destroyed 
several pike. It is not perhaps generally known that sea-water is a deadly poison to 
these fish. J am informed, by one of the fishermen, that several were seen to float down 
the river. 
In my last report I neglected to mention that, in the early part of December, I had 
seen an immense number of the thirteen spotted lady-bug, (Coccinella 13 punctata of 
Linnzus and Marsham,) collected around the branches of furze bushes, along the sea 
coast. There must have been many thousands of them. On a bratch not four inches in 
length there were upwards of a hundred. Were these insects about to attempt a 
migration? I can scarcely think they would have strength enough to cross the seas. 
On examining the sand of the shore, I remarked that a great many dead insects of this 
species had been cast up. I had not an opportunity of visiting the same place for 
nearly a fortnight afterwards, and there were then very few remaining. Probably 
the greater part had gone into some winter retreat in the ground or about the cliffs. 
Another year [ may endeavour to watch them somewhat more closely ! 
December 23. A few herrings were this day caught; but none for. several days 
either before or after. : 
The radical leaves of the milk thistle (Carduus marianus) appear. The flowers of the 
Faurustinus begin to fall. The China Roses (Rosa Chinensis) and Semperflorens stall 
continue in great beauty in the open ground. ¥ 
Larks congregate. ; 
The Common Wagtails have hitherto been observed through the whole winter. In 
severe weather these birds are not often seen. : 
Moles continue to throw up earth, They only discontinued ‘their labours during 
the few frosty days, at the beginning of the month, when the ground was too hard for 
them to be able to penetrate through it tothe surface Tobserve, by the hedges, that 
the mole catchers have of late, been unusually successful in destroying these animals. 
December 31. ‘lhe Woodbines have begun to put forth their first leaves. 
The Holly, Ivy, and Bramble are now the only wild shrubs which, by their leaves, 
.enliven the appearance of our hedges and woods. 
__ Bear’s-foot Hellebore, (helleborus fatidus,) and Spotted-leaved Hellebore (helleborus 
lividus) are in flower. 
Hampshire. ; 
N. B. In future this report will commence with the first, and terminate with the last 
day of the month preceding the publication of the Magazine. 
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. 
Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of December, 1807, to the 
24th of January, 1808, inclusive, Two Miles N.W. of St. Paul’s. 
Barowieter. Thermometer. 
Highest 30.45. Jan. 18. Wind S. E. Higheft 50°. Jan. 9. WindS. W. 
Lowest 29.00. Jan. 2. Wind West Loweft 15°. Jan, 22. Wind N. E. 
On the 14th in ~ On the 29d. about 
= ( the evening the sun-rise, and till near 
Greatest eo fet § mercury stood” at Greateft ie 9 ole the thermo- 
Variation in ( ~ -/ 29.1, but at the | variation oy 15°. <_ meter was as low as 
24 hours§ § ) same hour on the | 24 hours. 15°, but on the next 
é 15th it was as high day, at the same hour, 
as 30.23. it stood at 30% 
The quantity of rain fallen this month is equal to 2.768 inches in depth. 
The 30 and Sist ult. and the 14 and 15th days of the present month have been 
characterised by very boisterous ‘weather, much mischief was done in many inland parts 
but on the Southern Coast, particularly at. Margate and Deal the effects were truly serious, 
and the havock sustained perhaps unparalleled in the annals of those places. In both 
instances these winds were preceded with remarkably red skies. One of the most remarkable 
phenomena we ever observed occurred in the afternoon.of the 13th. The sun, a very 
few minutes before it descended below the horizen, owing to the peculiar state of the 
atmosphere, appeared Jike an immense globe of fire surrounded with a cloud in the shape 
ofa ring: the whole had the same appearance as Saturn when seen through a telescope of 
high powers, only almost. indefinitely larger; the red. colour of the. luminary, was 
uncommonly deep. ; 
3 The 
