The observations in the preceding Journal were made by two celebrated opticians, Mr John Carey, and Mr Robert Bancks, in the Strand. To the first of these gentlemen we owe the observations contained in columns 2, 4, 6, 10; and to the second, the observations recorded in columns 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13. The journal kept by Mr Carey is the first in which the dryness of the air has been determined by Mr Leslie's hygrometer, the only instrument of the kind in which any confidence can be placed. It is much to be regretted that

this valuable instrument is not more universally used in meteorological observations, as well as for various other purposes, to which it is applicable. But, even among men of science, there is a prejudice against new inventions, which nothing but time and necessity can overcome. The instruments which are at present employed for ascertaining the humidity of the atmosphere, are completely fallacious, and ought long ago to have been superseded by the ingenious hygrometer with which Mr Leslie has enriched philosophy and the arts.

JANUARY.

THE mild weather which prevailed during the month of December, 1809, continued till the 14th of January. Wallflower, Christmas roses, and polyanthuses, had been out for a fortnight before this date; Indian roses and carnations have continued in flower all winter, in the open borders against south walls. The shoots of bryony, which did not usually appear till April, were already two inches above ground on the 13th of January. The snow-drop was then coming into flower, and the winter aconite ready to expand. The fruit of a jargonelle peartree, near Newhaven, which showed some blossom about the middle of November, was now fairly set, or had begun to swell.

A sharp frost put an end to this unusual weather on the 14th, and it was followed by a heavy fall of snow,

On the morning of the 16th, the snow lay ten inches deep round Edinburgh, and it is supposed that, since the severe winter of 1795, such a large quantity of snow has not fallen in so short a space of time. The snow extended only a little beyond Dunbar, on the great London road, and was but slight at Glasgow.

On the 20th of the month, a very dense frosty mist hung over Edinburgh: The whole spray of the trees and shrubs were elegantly beset with crystals.

A thaw prevailed between the 24th and the 27th, and almost completely removed the snow.

On Tuesday, the 30th of this month, there was a fall of meteoric stones in Caswell county, in the United States. They fell about two o'clock, P. M.: Their descent was seen for a considerable distance round, and two reports were distinctly heard at Hillsborough, a distance of 30 miles. A fragment of a dark brown colour and porous, and weighing a pound and three quarters, struck a tree where some wood-cutters were at work. The men ran home in great terror, but, encouraged by a woman, they returned with her to the place, and brought away the stone, which was still hot.

FEBRUARY.

From the 27th of last month to the 8th of February, the weather has been mild and pleasant. The crocus is now coming into flower; the flowers of the white coltsfoot (tussilago alba) are expanded: the hazel tree has