Malta, Nov. 13, to Dec. 17. 6 o'clock, A. M. 12 do. 6 P. M. Greatest heat, 15th, 18th and 19th Nov. do. 6th and 12th Dec. Least Malta to Smyrna, Dec. 17th to 27th. 6 o'clock, 12 do. 6 P. M. Greatest, 23d Dec. Least, 27th, 601° 62 61 66 56 59° 621 59 71 50 Malta, Dec. 1827. My rain gage was made after the model recommended by Pres. D. I expected to set it upon one of the hills of Palestine, but after standing awhile on the terrace of a Greek in Smyrna, it is now removed to that of our missionary brethren here. It cost but a dollar and a half, and was a convenient article on ship board for various purposes. Since leaving Constantinople, amidst the pirates of the Archipelago, and the distress of the Morea, I thought it not safe to carry my thermometer. I send you an abstract of my journal to that time. On the morning of the third, a slight shock of an earthquake was experienced; weather fair, wind north, changed on the following day to south. More than half the twenty-six days spent here were rainy or showery. While in the bay, we had a storm of hail, and a little snow on shore, followed by a storm of thunder. The Barometer for a few of the last days varied from 29.5 to 29.75. Snow falls on the hills usually several times during the winter. The occasion is improved by the Franks for hunting wild boar on the neighboring mountains. I was informed by Rev. Mr. Arundel the British chaplain, that the two extremes of heat and cold, which he had observed during his residence at Smyrna, were 102° and 28° of Fahrenheit. Smyrna to Constantinople, Jan. 23, to Feb. 2d. 1827. Greatest heat, Dardanelles 29th Jan. Least, Bay of Smyrna, 23d Jan. 49° 574 62 48 With the exception of a single rainy day, the weath er was very fine. Constantinople. Dr. Clarke's observations at Constantinople and vi cinity, in 1800-1, gave an average for Mr. Turner's in 1816, (Feb. 17 to end.) 43 During the month there were five or six rainy days; snow three times, on the 15th several inches in depth, still raining on the 16th; on the 18th much ice, and on the 19th ground frozen. On the 23d almond and peach trees were in blossom. The first part of the month was very delightful. 6th to 9th, "weather like the middle of May in New England. Many trees and plants in blossom." The latter part was spent at Prinkipos, where on the 14th 1 gathered twenty-two different plants in blossom. There were seven days of rain, and on the 27th some hail mingled. From the remarks of the people and a reference to Mr. Turner's observations, it is probable the weather was warmer than usual. This month (in Prinkipos) was as cheerless in its beginning as the last was pleasant. It appears also from a comparison with Mr. Turner's observations, to have been considerably cooler than in 1816. Twelve days were showery or rainy, and several very windy. One storm of lightning. Several plants which I had collected were destroyed by the dampness. A delightful month. There were six showery days; thunder twice. On the 7th "wheat and oats 8th "vine branches as large as beans.' were headed." During most of the month a cold north wind prevailed. There was rain in but a single instance, on the 30th, and thunder on the 31st. Ground parched, and little verdure to be discovered except in watered gardens. Early on the morning of the 4th, I saw from my window a brilliant meteor descending to the north east of Prinkipos, in the direction of the Black Sea. An intelligent native informed me of one which was supposed to have fallen on or near this island a few years since. No instance of rain or thunder during the twentytwo days of this month, in which the Journal was kept. Just before I left Constantinople, from 10th to 14th Sept. the rain fell in torrents, and the weather was chilly. Greatest heat, from February to August, Least, 870 30 The north and south winds as has been remarked, cause two climates at Constantinople. The last is hot in December, yet 87° was the highest which I observed in the island; in the city doubtless it was warmer. Mr. Turner has 94° as the highest in 1816. The north wind is prevalent from May to September, and imparts coolness to the air in summer. In the winter it brings ice and snow, and an instance is on record when the harbor was frozen over. 1829. In order to a better understanding of the geological specimens which you have now received, I have collected into one view the various notices that are contained in my journal. Coming as they have done from the shores and islands of the Mediterranean and Marmora, and from the banks of the Hellespont and Bosphorus; the former derive some little interest from |