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by contracted, the liquid moves towards D, continuing to do so till the maximum effect is produced. When the evaporation diminishes, the liquid is again forced backwards towards C, till it arrives at the index a; and should the evaporating force still continue to diminish, the index itself is then carried towards zero, till the evaporation be at its minimum. The liquid then becomes stationary; and though it should afterwards mount higher, in consequence of an increased evaporation, still the index remains at the lowest point to which the liquid had sunk, thus marking the minimum of dryness in the absence of the observer.

Your readers will observe, that in the modification which I have now proposed of the original hygrometer of Professor Leslie, no new principle has been introduced; the contrivance for marking the extremes being the same as that which was invented by Dr Rutherford, and which has been long employed in constructing a minimum thermometer. I can lay no claim therefore, to the honour of a discovery, but I hope I have some little to that of an improvement. It is well known to meteorologists, that observations of temperature were comparatively of little use till the invention of self-registering thermometers; and why may we not be allowed to hope, that the use of a self-registering hygrometer will hereafter bring to light some important facts regarding the laws which regulate the distribution of moisture in the atmosphere?

One word as to the construction of the instrument, and I have done. In the first, and indeed the only attempt that I have yet had time to make, I succeeded in constructing a small hygrometer on the principle of fig. 1.; and though the range is too limited to give the necessary degree of accuracy, it is sufficient to convince me that the construction is not only practicable, but, to those who are dexterous in the use of the blow-pipe, extremely easy. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

R. G.

In the above, as well as in the original form of the hygrometer, the covered bulb may be kept continually moist with water, conveyed to it by filaments of floss silk from an adjoining vessel.

It is our intention, in this paper, to offer a few remarks on the history of the two most remarkable animals which have been described as inhabitants of the ocean. Concerning these many wonderful things are mentioned in the narratives of the early voyagers, as well as in more recent histories; and although such accounts are too often imbued with a spirit prone to believe in the most absurd and extravagant fictions, and conveyed through the distorting medium of fear and superstition, yet it may safely be averred, from what has already been ascertained, that they are for the most part founded in truth. Too much caution cannot prevail in the investigation of the productions of nature; but a sceptical and obstinate disbelief of whatever is inconsistent, or at variance with the objects of our daily contemplation, accords as little with the spirit of the true philosophy, as a blind and precipitate adoption of every tale of wonder.

If the propriety of such an impression concerning the famous Kraken and the great Serpent of the northern sea, so generally regarded as fabulous, be admitted, it will not be deemed unimportant, or devoid of interest, to enter into a short examination of their history; and, by balancing the various arguments which have been adduced against or in favour of their existence, to ascertain, as determinately as possible, the degree of credit to which they should be considered as justly entitled. In doing this, we shall attend to the relation which the statements of different individuals bear to the prevailing traditions of countries, and by endeavouring to separate truth from fition, we shall the sooner be enabled to form an opinion regarding the true nature of these animals, and to discriminate between such attributes as have been bestowed upon them by the terror of beholders, the fancy of historians, or the imagination of poets, and the forms, powers, and habits, with which nature has really gifted them. By this means we shall probably be able to shew that certain animals, the existence of which, in the opinion of many enlightened men, has long since been deemed the creation