17. Abstract of Meteorological Observations, made at Middletown, Monmouth, Co., N. J., Lat. 40° 26' N., Long. 73° 59′ W., from, May 31st, 1832, to June 1st, 1834; by JOHN F. JENKINS, Princi The following table presents a comparative view of some of the more important particulars, for three years past, commencing each year with June. A series of observations of the weather as connected with the moon's phases has been made during the last three years, in which were recorded the changes from rainy or cloudy to clear, and vice versa, that occurred within twelve hours, either before or after the change of the moon. The results are, that in 37 lunations, or 148 phases, there were 79, changes of weather, of which 18 were at new moon, 18 first quarter, 23 at full, and 20 last quarter. Rain fell on the day of new moon 11 times, first quarter 8, full 8, and last quarter 13. In the same period rain, including showers fell on 264 days; of which 126 were in the increase of the moon, and 138 in the decrease. Only 93 of these could be called rainy days, and of them 39 were in the increase, and 54 in the decrease. Also, the quantity of rain in the decrease, was to that in the increase as 7 to 4. The changes of weather when the moon was in Apogee were 25, and the same when in Perigee. In this case the preceding and following days were included. It appears then, that it has rained more frequently, and in greater quantity in the wane than in the increase of the moon. This result differs from that of observations made in Germany by Arago; but it confirms the opinion of Toaldo, that the new moon is not the most active of the phases. The meteoric shower on the 13th of Nov. last, presented appearances similar to those which have been often described, except that no particular point of radiation was observed. Corn and garden vegetables were generally cut off by the frost on the 15th ult. 18. Recent Scientific Publications in the United States.-New Fresh Water Shells of the United States with colored illustrations; and a Monograph of the genus Anculotus of Say; also a Synopsis of the American Naiades. By T. A. Conrad, Memb. Acad. Nat. Sci. of Phil. 12mo. Plates. Philadelphia, Judah Dobson. Boston Journal of Natural History, containing Papers and Communications read to the Boston Society of Natural History, and published by their direction. Part I. No. I. Boston, Hilliard, Gray & Co. 8vo. Contents.-Officers of the Society, Page 3 Introduction, Art. I. Address delivered before the Society at the opening of their Hall in Tremont Street. By Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood, 7 II. Remarks in defence of the Author of the "Birds of America." By Rev. John Bachman, 15 III. Description of a Gibbon. By Winslow Lewis, Jr. M. D. 32 41 V. Chiastolite or Macle of Lancaster. By Charles T. Jackson, M. D. 55 VI. Observations on a Shell in the Cabinet of the Bost. Soc. of Nat. Hist., supposed to be identical with the Murex Aruanus of Linnæus and the Fusus proboscidiferus of Lamarck. By A. Binney, List of members, Six lithographic plates. 63 69 Report of the Managers of the Franklin Institute, of the State of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts, in relation to Weights and Measures. Presented in compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives. Philadelphia, printed by Jesper Harding, 8vo. pp. 82. 19. Meteorological Journal for the month of May, 1834, of the Oneida Conference Seminary, Cazenovia, Madison County, N. Y. June, 1834. Communicated by JOHN JOHNSTON. Winds.-N. O days; N. E. 1; E. 0.5; S. E. 3.5; S. 2; S. W. 3; W. 4; N. W. 17. Weather. Fair 16.5 days; cloudy 14.5; rain 3·5; snow 0.5. Prevailing wind N. W.; rain 3.42 inches. Warmest day 23d; coldest 15th. Highest degree 88; lowest 23, range 65. 7th. Primrose in blossom. 8th. Dandelion and plumtree in blossom. 9th. Cherry and shadbush in blossom. 12th. Snow squalls; 13th. and 14th ground covered with snow most of the time, -at times more than one inch in depth.-Surface of the earth much frozen. 20th. Apples in blossom. 23d. Violent wind with thunder and lightning at 5 o'clock in the P. M. 20. Influence of Electricity on Capillary Attraction. Extract of a letter from Jno. W. Draper to the editor, dated Christiansville, Mecklenburg, Va., May 31st, 1832. TO PROF. SILLIMAN.-Sir-Without a personal acquaintance, I write to inform you of some scientific points of interest which have recently been made known in England, but which from the lateness of the discovery have not I believe been published in this country. You will remember, that Laplace in his Theorie de l'action capillaire in the supplement to the tenth book of the Mecanique Celeste (after shewing how the + or action of the bounding meniscus of a liquid in a capillary tube determines its position therein) leaves the nature of the force of capillary attraction entirely out of the question; the adhesion of plates of glass to the surface of liquids he allows to depend on the same cause. It was in investigating the latter phenomenon that the mystery of all these singular appearances was discovered. I will indicate, as succinctly as I can, the chain of reasoning. If you place a disc of glass upon the surface of mercury and attempt to lift it, you will immediately be sensible of a strong attraction between them; the value of that attraction is measurable by the balance. Whilst the glass is reposing on the mercury, if the latter is connected with a sensible gold leaf electrometer you will not find the smallest indication of developed electricity. But on separating them by means of a fibre of gum lac fastened to the back of the glass, the gold leaves, in a moment, diverge, and the glass disc is found to be electrified, oppositely, to an equal amount-place them in contact and all electrical signs vanish. |