5th Mo. New M. a. b. May 7 SW 29.58 29.13 ers. NOTES.-a. Strong positive electricity in the intervals of the show A pair of pith-balls, loaded with lead, so as to weigh ten grains, and suspended from the conductor by threads of the length of seven inches, exhibited a curious phenomenon. Besides the waving motion, during their divergence, which is not unusual, there was a sensible impulse of the fluid downward upon the balls, causing the threads to quiver incessantly like an insect's wing. b. Rainbow. c. Much wind at SW. Negative electricity, from a Nimbus going by in the S. d. At 6 p.m. changeable electricity, from a Nimbus in the N, in which it thundered. e. A strong wind at SW with much scud, the rain strongly positive. f. Almost incessant rain, which was void of all signs of electricity. g. Rain still non-electric, and the air strongly and variably charged in the fair intervals. h. Lightning in the W. i. After a constant exhibition of the Cirrus cloud for several days past, with much dew, the latter deposition is suspended, and the sky overcast and threatening. k. Hoar frost this morning, and a Stratus on the river and meadows after sunset. 1. Very stormy night; the newly expanded foliage suffered much. m. Rain the whole day. n. Strongly positive atmosphere. Additional Notes, &c.-Fifth Mo. 7. The bow appeared very bright and perfect twice; at 4 and at 7 p.m. 26. For five days past the Cirrus cloud has appeared over the whole sky, with the points directed upward. There have been almost continual indications of an active state of the atmospheric electricity; a result which seems naturally allied to the variable state of the currents, and a much greater deposition of water than is usual at this season. Rain noted as by day 1.38, by night 0.56. Loose shapeless portions of cloud moving swiftly in the lower current of the atmosphere. A f. A beautiful display of the Cirrus cloud all day. g.g. Some indications of a tendency to thunder. The rod was charged negative, but the clouds at length passed off to NE. i. i. Brisk winds. k. The wind went from NW by E to SW. 1. Clouds highly coloured at sunset. The wind, as usual after this appearance, veered eastward. m. A Stratus on the river and meadows this morning, owing, probably, to the sudden depression of the nocturnal temperature. *. Abundance of honey dew*, on the elms and limes, as well as on the fruit trees. Additional Notes, &c.-Sixth Mo. 4. The clouds, which have become daily more dense, now show for thunder: there are wanting however the concurrent indications of active electricity and a temperature above 80°. A few drops of rain to-day were wholly unelectrified. ! "Lisbon June 12, 1807. "On the 6th inst. at ten minutes before four in the afternoon, a dreadful shock of an earthquake was felt here, which lasted about eight seconds; it was more severe than the great one in 1755, but, thank God, not so fatal, a few lives only are lost, but a number of houses damaged." Another account states that the shock took place about four o'clock in the afternoon, and lasted about twelve seconds. The shock was so severe, that se veral houses were much damaged, and the city thrown into the greatest con fusion. It was not known that any lives were lost, but several had their arms and legs broken, &c. by jumping out at the windows, under the apprehension of the houses falling upon them. The shock was also felt at St. Ubes, Oporto, and generally throughout Portugal. It was felt on board the Lively frigate, then about eighty leagues off the rock of Lisbon.-(PUBLIC PAPERS.) Character of the period fair and dry. There has been a remark able approximation to the mean, both in the extremes of pressure and temperature, and in the daily rate of evaporation. The electricity has been nearly quiescent. Rain by day 0·35, by night 0.58 in. * Some notice of the origin of this sweet fluid, which has abounded so as to drop from the trees, of late, may be interesting to most readers. It is well known to naturalists, that it neither falls on the leaves from the air, as it name implies, nor transpires from them; but that it is excerned by insects of the genus Aphis, which inhabit the under sides of leaves, and shed this liquor on the surface of those below. This little creature seems to subsist by drawing the juices from the sap vessels, and, by a peculiarity of constitution, rejects the richer saccharine part, which afterwards affords nourishment to many other insects. Ants are so fond of it, that a whole colony may be found travelling to the highest branches of a tree in search of it; and we have seen them seize the clear drop, while yet attached to the body of the Aphis, which, although defenceless, was not molested further by these predacious wanderers. 68 43 45 41 20 14 53 13 SW d. 14 SW 29-81 29-78 77 58 40 15 SW 29-80 29-78 73 55 14 16 W 17 W 29-90 29.80 73 57 1-113 19929218192a99 |$|* | | | 8 | | | 8 | | 5 | 8 79 56 30-19 29-55 87 39 5.90 0.38 NOTES.a. The cockchaffer begins to appear in great numbers. A cat is observed to pursue these insects every evening, feasting on them with avidity. b. After considerable appearances of a strong electricity in the clouds, which yet did not affect the insulated rod, several Nimbi formed suddenly about 5 p. m. from one of which fell a shower in large warm drops strongly positive. Some thunder and lightning followed, during which the rod was highly charged, but the kinds were not noticed. The wind by the vane continuing strong at E, the lower clouds moved directly N, and the sky cleared over head: but |