ricanes ib. XLI. On the Prester, or Water-Spout ii. Genuine Presters, or Water-Spouts 2. Another at same place 3. In Lincolnshire ib. SECT. i. Its relation to common Matter ii. Communication and Velocity of Electricity iii. Atmospherical Electricity XLIII. Electricity of Thunder and Lightning SECT. i. General History of this Interesting Discovery iii. Means of preventing Mischief from Lightning 393 XLVII. On Luminous and Burning Exhalations under the Names of Ignes Fatui; Will-o'-the- ii. Of the Ignis Fatuus, as observed in England iii. Luminous and Inflammable Exhalations on the iv. Fiery Exhalations or Damp, that set on Fire various XLVIII. On Atmospheric Deceptions, Fata Morgana, Mirages, Glamer or Looming, Halos, Mul- tiplied Rainbows; Parhelions and Parasele- nites, or Mock-Suns, and Mock-Moons; ii. Fata Morgana; or Optical Appearances of Figures in the Sea and Air, in the Faro of Messina iii. Singular Instance of Atmospherical Refraction, by THE GALLERY OF NATURE AND ART PART I. NATUR E. BOOK II. [CONTINUED.] CHAP. XXXIV. ATMOSPHERICAL DEPARTMENT. We now E now advance to the atmospherical phænomena of the science of Geology, in the extensive sense in which we have employed this term; and shall proceed to a brief survey of whatever is most curious or worthy of observation in the composition of the Atmosphere; the variation of Climate; the extremes of Heat and Cold; the existence of Electricity and electric Powers, as Thunder and Lightning, Aurora Borealis, Water-spouts; Falling-stars, and Ignes Fatui; Echoes, Wind, Hurricanes, and Storms; the origin of Mist, Dew, Sleet, Snow, Mirages, or Fata Morgana, Meteoric, Stones, and various other appearances connected with or dependent upon the preceding; and which collectively constitute the Science of Meteorology. VOL, IV. THE HE atmosphere is that invisible elastic fluid which surrounds the earth to an unknown height, and incloses it on all sides. It was thus denominated by the Greeks in consequence of the vavours which are continually mixing with it, or combined in it*. In contemplating the nature of the atmosphere there are two points of considerable importance to be attended to, respecting which therefore we shall offer a summary of the best established facts and opinions of the present day; and these are the materials that enter into its composition, and the changes to which it is liable. SECTION 1. Composition of the Atmosphere. NEITHER the properties nor the composition of the atmosphere seems to have occupied much of the attention of the ancients. Aristotle considered it as one of the four elements, situated be. tween the regions of water and fire, and mingled with two exhalations, the dry and moist; the first of which occasioned thunder, lightning, and wind; while the second produced rain, snow, and hail. The ancients, in general, seem to have considered the blue colours of the sky as essential to the atmosphere; and several of their philosophers believed that it was the constituent principle of other bodies, or at least that air and other bodies are mutually convertible into each other. Thus Lucretins : Semper enim quodcunque fluit de rebus, id omne • From ărut, a vapour, and païpa, a sphere. Lib. v. 274. |
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