March 11, 1841.
Sir JOHN WILLIAM LUBBOCK, Bart., V.P. and Treasurer, in the Chair.
The following papers were read :
1. " On a Cycle of Eighteen Years in the Mean Annual Height of the Barometer in the Climate of London ; and on a Constant Varia- tion of the Barometrical Mean, according to the Moon's Declina- tion." By Luke Howard, Esq., F.R.S.
For obtaining the general results communicated in the present paper, the author has followed the same method as that he had adopted in the two former papers laid before the Society on the con- nexion of the barometrical variation wdth the lunar phases and apsides. Tables are given of the barometrical averages on successive solar years, from 1815 to 1832, so constructed as to exhibit the variation of the moon's influence according to her declination ; and also of these averages on successive cycles of nine solar years, classed according to the moon's place in declination, on either side of the equator. The results deduced from these comparisons are, first, that the barometrical mean in this climate is depressed by the moon's declination being to the south of the equator ; and, secondly, that this depression takes place gradually, commencing with the moon's being in full north declination, and proceeding through her remain- ing positions to the time when she crosses the equator to resume the northern declination; at which season, the whole pressure that had been withdrawn from the atmosphere is suddenly restored. The author thinks there is evidence of a great tidal wave, or swell in the atmosphere, caused by the moon's attraction, preceding her in her approach to, and following her slowly as she recedes from these la- titudes ; so that were the atmosphere a calm fluid ocean of air, of uniform temperature, this tide would be manifested with as great re- gularity as those of the ocean of waters. But the currents uniformly kept up by the sun's varying influence effectually prevent this from taking place, and involve the problem in complexity. He finds that there is also manifested in the lunar influence a gradation of effect, which operates through a cycle of eighteen years. The mean pres- sure of the atmosphere during the first part of this period increases ; and then, after preserving for a year its maximum amount, again decreases through the remaining years of the cycle, but exhibits, towards its minimum, some fluctuations before it again regularly increases.
2. " On a remarkable depression of the Barometer in November 1840, agreeing very closely in its movements and results with that of December 1821." By Luke Howard, Esq., F.R.S.
The object of the author in the present paper is to show the close correspondence of the extraordinary depression of the barometer in the months of October and November of last year (1840), and of the remarkably stormy weather which prevailed at the same period.
