pears from the frequent meridional and
latitudinal diversities and contrasts, to which allusion has been made.
The sun can not be supposed to exert a _less_ influence on a middle, than
a more northern latitude; nor on one series of meridians, than another.
There must, therefore, be another local and powerful disturbing cause,
varying the magnetic and electric activity and influence upon the trades,
as well in their incipiency as in their circuits, and thus controlling the
atmospheric conditions locally and in _the opposite hemispheres_. That
other disturbing cause is _volcanic action_. We can conceive of none
other, and we can detect and trace the influence of that to a considerable
extent. Unfortunately we know, and can practically know, comparatively
little of it. It has been busy with the earth since the creation, and will
continue to be so till, possibly, by a collision, it shall burst into
asteroids--its molten interior flowing out in seeming combustion--each
fragment retaining its magnetic polarities entire, and continuing on in an
independent orbit in the heavens, an asteroid, or meteorite.

While, therefore, the agency of magnetism in itself may be regular, and
the transit of the sun is regular, and "seed-time and harvest shall not
cease," yet the sun is not regular in his influence, and the magnetic
agency is disturbed by another and irregular power. And, although we can
trace the influence of both upon the seasons, we can not measure that
influence, and from it reliably foretell the weather. The discoveries of
Swabe, and future ones, relative to solar irregularities, will assist us,
but, till we understand better, and to some extent anticipate, the
changes of volcanic action, we shall not be able to understand or foresee
all the differences in the seasons. That time may come; for progress is
yet to be read in the front of meteorology, and simultaneous practical
observations made and interchanged at every important point on the globe.
Nevertheless, the seasons have a character--often a regular one--one class
of storms prevailing over all others--one series of phenomena occurring to
the exclusion of others--and we must regard it if we would arrive at
intelligent estimates of their future condition.

The most difficult part to understand are the meridional contrasts. Last
year we had one of the worst drouths which has occurred since the
settlement of the country. But while all the eastern portion of the United
St