WEATHER REGISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 102, 11 March 1864, Page 3

WEATHER REGISTER.

W'k are indebted to Captain Hich of the llok.rt Town barque l'et, for the subjoined register oi'thc weather; the prognostications, or calculation:., have been verified in a most remarkable manner. The " Saxby weather system " is a great fart, and we may evidently do worse than pin our faith to his predictions. The foreeastings of this gentleman set everybody wondering, and they have turned out so often in accordance with actual occurrences that we ere led to study his prescient warnings us a sort of daily duty. There is no doubt it is inconvenient to be too wise. In some sense we are very much disssiiniieu to be foretokened of evil days to come, and to bo kept in a perpetual state of ferment on Mich assurances as that " If the day is calm and stilt we arc to distrust the day after;" having- at the same time to j undergo a wet blanket process in the agitation and j anxiety of awaiting the " dangerous period." "Wo j confess to a prejudice against this illuminated kind of knowledge," and would almost prefer to leave Dame i Nature to tell her own tale, at all hazards, m the , natural language of sunshine and storm. It is bad enough to be worried, whenever the mail arrives, by broken telegrams that mislead us as to the way thing* have gone on in other parts of the world, and to be tantalized by the narratives of spirit rappers ituo are ready at any moment to put us en rapport with the dim "regions somewhere round about Tartarus. However,' seeing that we cannot shut our eyes to the doimrs of the weather-wise, we may as well cheerfully make the most of their experience and turn it us far as possible to profitable account. Alter all, it natural curiosity leads us to pry into the mysteries of the universe, and to trace as best we may the wondrous laws of its government under the various forms of their manifestation. In all times and all place-?, perhaps, the human mind has been inquisitively directed to the phenomena of the weather, and has sought the means to read more accurately the "language of the skies." The exertions of the most intellectual have been given to solve the problems connected with the mutations of the atmosphere, and if they have not altogether succeeded in their efforts, they have accomplished a great deal that is valuable for our instruction. At this particular time meteorologic observations attract public attention in consequence of the startling confirmation which we have witnessed of Mr. Saxby's weather system 1863-4. During the last year, wc believe, his prognostications have been so far verified as to relieve him from any imputation of empiricism. Mr. Saxby has fjtood the test of four years, and throughout the whole period it is evident he hits continued to gain ground in public confidence. His weather guide for the last year, which is also extended up to the end of next March, is a document that we may now test by experience. It appeared as follows: — haxhy's wkatiikh system, 1863-1. (Fourth Year of Issue.) List of davs on which the weather may reasojiably be suspected as liable to change, most probably towards high winds or lower temperature, being especially periods of atmospheric disturbance : — .Tidy":—s,—l2 to 15,-20, 27. August:—2, 9,-14 to 17,-23,-29. September:—s,-13 to 15.-19,-2..). October :—2,—10 to 12, —17, 23,-30. November:—o,— Hto 15,-19,-20. December•.-4—lo to 13—17— 23,—31. X.B.—From the 10th to 13th will he a period of great danger, and there will be an exceedingly high tide on the 12th. January :—7 to 11—13,-20,-27. N.l!.—From the 7th to 11th will be a dangerous period, with a vcrv high tide on the 11th. February :—2—7 to 9,-16,-23 .and 24. N.B.—From the 7th to 9th will be it very dangerous period, with a very high tide on the 9th. March :—2,—7 to 10,-14,-22—29. N.B.—The 7th and Bth will boa very dangerous period, with probably a very full tide on the 10th. The above apply to all parts of the earth's surface, (even in a diminished degree) to the trade, belts. K.B.—lf the day marked prove calm and still, distrust the day after, and especially the second day after. . The changes vary in intensity, but even at quiet periods they'mav bo plainly traced in the scud, Hying with a velocity totally at variance with the state of the air at the "earth's surface, and the clouds at iruch times generally have a liny or stratified appearance, which usually indicates approaching ram. The worst cyclones (if they reach at all) will be on or about 2Gth August, 22nd September, 19th October, 22nd November, 19th December, 10th January 0 804). 18lh February, and 17th March. 8. M..Sa>:uv, .h■>.

bo seen that wo mo likely to to raited shortly by somo very severe weather. Indeed, for tho next three months the prophetic character of the weather ,s very doleful and unsatisfactory. Mr. T 'i « S 2 m, i Crstood ' b «s>shi S predictions on the principle that the moon exercises a perceptible and regular influence upon the temperature and rainfall of the earth. It happens that we are, just at this juncture, m an astronomical cycle, in which, from the proximity of the moon, sho has special influence in regulating the atmospheric changes of this " nether world. Jhe popular " weather signs" are, for the most p ar)j joundod on fh o «,,„,. doctrine ; although ordinarily m forecasting the weather, the auguries are mamly deduced from the condition of the clouds, una the visible changes of the heavens. It is, perhaps well known that unsettled weather, squalls, and all the other consequences of air in commotion, are the results of antagonistic currents. Hence, the presence of more tlum one air-current is significant of disturbance. When the air is highly electric, a collision of clouds is followed bv a fall of rain or hail, and we have squally or stormv weather. When a ilisturbanco of air does not occupy a great extent, it does not last long, though it ma'v be very severe, even like a whirlwind or hurricane uquall for some tune. Atmospheric cyclones, however, are on a great and prolonged scale. In the British Islands, a system of meteorologic telegraphy is employed in connection with cautionary signals', which are" transmitted rapidly to nearly two hundred stations around the coasts. In Ireland, the popular mode of foreastmg the weather is tolerably accurate. It isdependent upon close attention to the varied atmospheric conditions. I'or instance, the past rainfall and existing moisture are weighed (mentally) in connection with the appearance of the sky, direction and force of the wind, and the way the "wind is shifting—on which much depends. Upper currents of air in a direction much differing from the lower are taken into aecount, uid especially if they move rapidly, as they are necessarily connected with a change' of wind." In ordinary settled weather it is not so easy to forwast as luring strong winds, when the visible manifestations ire not difficult of interpretation. Mr. Siixhy, how>yer, claims our notice in a -.cry different character. Under his guidance we arc not to be taken unawares, mil may make pic-nic arrangement* for half a year lence. Tn his hands we trust to the infallibility of scientific forcasting. Many able persons do'ubt whether it is possible to found any reliable premoiuions in relation to the weather, 'as the elements to >o considered are of a character so abstruse and complicated. Nevertheless, the " observation of facts" is iow proceeded with in a regular and determined nanner. We are nuule acquainted with the qualities tnd values of the meteorological elements essential to he accurate forecasting of weather; and as their orce and degree are measurable, they are brought vithin the range of scientific investigation. In 'apan an alarum is used to give winning of carthliiakc—consisting of a large magnet, which is so irranged that when the ground is full of electricity, . gong is sounded, audible at a considerable distance, nd warning all to By to open places. This is a good llustration of practical knowledge. We have in the resources of meteorology the means >f ascertaining the changes of weather, not only when ipon the advent of a storm, but by unerring indiations for months beforehand. It has been long a lopular opinion that the moon, as well as the sun, auses a tidal cllect in the atmosphere ; but the learn- I d have disputed this view, and persistently declined o admit the influence of the moon in the changes of veather. This subject now stands in another light, nore especially from the prominence given to it by ilr. J. Park Harrison, in an interesting paper oil ' Lunar Influence on the Temperature of the Air." lis remarks are based on a long series of observations ■xtending over forty-three years. He proves the died action of the moon on our atmospheric changes, mil that the most marked period i» a little before "nil moon, when the temperature rises as much above be general mean as, under the remaining changes, it all; below it. The maximum of rainy and cloudy lays occupies the lirst two quarters of the moon, the alter portion being distinguished for the liner days, the general beliet in a tendency in the weather to

" clear m>," or tlio contrary, at certain periods of the moon's age. is confirmed by his observations, as it also i.f by Humboldt, Jlerschell, and Arago—tlie two latter having issued weather tables on this principle. It is well established that the disappearance of the clouds during full moon is occasioned by the calorific iiilluence that planet exercise* on the atmosphere. The fine nights lower the earth's temperature — which is, without doubt, due to the nbsence of clouds The " Lunari.-ts," as they are styled, are evidently gaining on the sceptical astronomers —and what is not perhaps more singular is that in this, as in many other matters of observation, scienlific researches trnd to confirm popular impressions. The weather system of .Mr. Sax by marks an advance in practical meteorology. Jt will be seen flint storms and dangers lie ahead of us this month, and that the early portion of the year is not to pass away all sunshine. shall await the next issue of Mr. Saxby's predictions with considerable curiosity, and we trust the *i>r»ntx of Europe will not lie unobservant of the fulfilment of his predictions, us their verification under ordinary observation appears to he undisputed.— 2ilelbonr»« Aoe.