probable that the general deflection of the isotherms northward, or in other words, the cool temperature off the coast, is brought about by this southerly wind which transfers the air of the temperate zone to the tropics.

"The extension from the coast of this southerly wind is given approximately below:

January.. to 85° W. in 40° S., to 85° W. in 30° S.

February. to 80°

"The southerly wind begins to fail in June, during which month, as well as in July and August, the atmospheric pressure off the coast is nearly similar to that over the ocean to the westward.

"From March to August the trade wind extends only to 25° S., during the rest of the year it reaches 30° S.

"The arrows drawn upon the charts represent the prevalent winds. Generally they represent the current of air as flowing between the isobars conformably to the law of wind in relation to pressure in the southern hemisphere. Where the isobars are closest the winds are strongest, and where they diverge from each other light breezes are usually reported. Patches of high pressure seem to be frequently accompanied by light airs and calms. An irregular course of the isobars is generally indicative of atmospheric disturbance, or of variable winds.

"Between 50° and 60° S., and 50° to 70° W., kelp or other seaweed is frequently reported."

BERGHAUS' CHART OF THE WORLD.*

We have received a copy of a New Edition (the sixth) of Hermann Berghaus' admirable Chart of the World. We had previously heard something of sundry improvements and additions which had been introduced into this new edition, but we confess we were hardly prepared to find them so numerous and valuable. As a work of reference the chart will be most serviceable, and the name of Berghaus is a sufficient guarantee that the published information is perfectly reliable, we may also add the variety of the information given is rather astonishing.

In the new edition the map has been entirely re-arranged, and America is placed in the middle of the chart. By this means the great oceans are given whole and undivided, thus adding enormously to the convenience of reference and general utility. All lines of regular steamboat communication have been inserted, the colours and characters of the lines indicating their nationality and the periodical journeys performed. The principal tracts of sailing ships are also shewn-ocean currents, the depth of the sea, the extent of coral reefs, of pack and drift ice, of kelp and seaweed; the positions of submarine cables and the lines of lake and river steam navigation, are all pointed out with most admirable clearness. Besides all this the small marginal maps which have been considerably increased in this new edition are full of very interesting and useful details. We are not at all surprised to hear that this most valuable compendium of information has been favourably received by the scientific world of the continent. We ourselves prize very highly the copy sent to us, and we commend it to all who desire to possess a comprehensive and reliable chart of the world. The price is certainly not expensive for such a work— a guinea will buy the chart and cover all expenses of transmission from Gotha.

A FLOATING BREAKWATER AT GREYPOINT.-On Wednesday a floating breakwater, which had been conveyed from Plymouth by Her Majesty's ship Valorous, was anchored on the county Down side of Belfast Lough, between Greypoint and the Horse Rock, and but a short distance off the shore. The breakwater presents the appearance of a raft, but is of the most improved construction and of great strength.

* Chart of the World. Hermann Berghaus. Sixth Edition. Gotha: Justins Perthes. 1871.

66. China-Yang-tse-Kiang-Shaweishan Island.-A fixed light of the first order elevated 229 feet above high water and which should be seen 22 miles, has been established on this island in lat. 31° 24' N., long. 122° 14' E. The lighthouse is painted black and the keeper's dwellings white.

China-Yang-tse-Kiang-Tungsha Bank.-A new light-vessel has been moored on the south-west part of this bank. The light is a revolving light with flashes every half-minute. The lighthouse is painted red, with the name Tungsha on her side, and lies in 3 fathoms with Gutzlaff lighthouse bearing S. by E. E.; Shaweishan Island, N.E. E.; and Kintoan lighthouse, N.W. by W. W.

In thick or foggy weather a steam horn will be sounded at intervals of half-a-minute.

Note.-When vessels are running into danger, a gun will be fired from the light-vessel and the course to be steered indicated by signal in Marryatt's Code. When it is necessary to lower the light for trimming, a small light will be hoisted, and a blue light burned.

China-Yang-tse-Kiang-Wusung Light and Bar.-The light to lead through the channel from the Yang-tse-kiang to the Wusung or Wangpu river will be more powerful. The light bears from the centre of the navigable channel S.W. by W. W.

In consequence of the changes on the Wusung bar, two red buoys have been placed to mark the channel. These buoys are moored in 13 feet, on the northern edge of the shoal extending to the west-north-west of Gough Island, and are to be left at a distance of one-third of a cable on the starboard hand by vessels bound in, and must not be brought to bear to the northward of the line between them.

Also, that two signals have been added to the Code, a ball under the 24 feet signal will show 25 feet water on the bar, and two balls under the 13 feet signal will mark 26 feet.

67. Ireland-Shannon River.-The following fixed lights have been established in the upper part of the estuary of the river. Horse Rock, on North side of Channel, above 12 miles below Limerick. Sod Island, on North side of Channel, about 10 miles below Limerick. Logheen, on North side of Channel, about 9 miles below Limerick. Spilling Rock, on South side of Channel, about 8 miles below Limerick. Crawford Rock, on North side of Channel, about 6 miles below Limerick. Ballast Rock, on North side of Channel, about 4 miles below Limerick. Coonagh Point, on North side of Channel, about 3 miles below Limerick. Braemar Point, on South side of Channel, about 24 miles below Limerick. Clonmacken Point, on North side of Channel, about 14 miles below Limerick.

Barrington Quay, on North side of Channel, about three-quarters of a mile below Limerick, red to westward, green to eastward.

Dock Head, on South side of Channel, at Limerick, red to westward.

68. United States-San Francisco.-The following buoys have been placed as a guide for vessels crossing the bar and entering the harbour.

Outer Buoy,-black and white,—is outside the bar in 13 fathoms, with the Middle buoy bearing N.E. E. 5 miles, and Fort point 10 miles distant.

Middle Buoy,-black and white,—is in 9 fathoms, with the Inner buoy bearing N.E.E. 2 miles, and Fort point 44 miles distant.

Inner Buoy,-black and white,—is in 20 fathoms, between Bonita and Lobos points, with Fort point bearing N.E. E. 23 miles.

Four Fathom Bank.-Also, that the Four Fathoms bank is marked by two black buoys.

The buoy off the west end lies W. by S. S. 31 miles from the buoy off the east end of the bank.

The east buoy is in 5 fathoms, W. by S. & S. 14 miles from Bonita point. It is said the west buoy cannot be depended on as remaining in position. These buoys are placed in line with Fort point bearing N.E. E.

69. Cape Breton Island-East Coast-Scatari Island.-A fixed red light, elevated 90 feet above high water, and visible 9 miles, has been established on this island in lat. 46° 04' N., long. 59° 47′ W.

Cape Breton Island-Ingonish Island.-A fixed white light of the fifth order is now established on this island. It is elevated 237 feet above high water, and in clear weather should be seen from a distance of 15 miles. Position, lat. 46° 41' N., long. 60° 20' W.

Cape Breton Island—St. Anne's Harbour.-A fixed white light 24 feet above high water, and visible 8 miles, is established on Beach point, at the entrance of this harbour, in lat. 46° 17' N., long. 60° 32' W.

70. United States-Maine-Casco Bay-Half-way rock.-A fixed white light with a flash every minute, of the third order, elevated 75 feet, and visible 15 miles, has been established on this rock in lat. 43° 39' N., long. 70° 2′ W.

United States-Cape Ann.-The fog trumpet on Thatcher's Island has been replaced by a steam fog whistle, which in thick or foggy weather gives each minute a blast of eight seconds and a blast of four seconds, with an interval of four seconds between the blasts.

United States-Long Island-Eaton's Neck.-A syren, worked by steam, has been placed at the lighthouse, which in foggy weather will sound nine seconds at intervals of fifteen seconds.

71. South Australia-St. Vincent Gulf-Cape Jervis.-In accordance with No. 24 (April number), a fixed white light is now exhibited on Cape Jervis, it is visible seaward between the bearings N.N.E. E. and S. E., and should be seen 13 miles. Position, lat. 35° 37' S., long. 138° 7' E.

72. Gulf of St. Lawrence-Anticosti Island-South Point.-A catoptric flashing white light shewing a flash every twenty seconds, elevated 75 feet above the sea, and visible 14 miles in clear weather, has been established three quarters of a mile from the point, in lat. 49° 4' N., long. 62° 15′ W. Also a steam fog whistle near the lighthouse, which, in thick or foggy weather will be sounded for ten seconds in every minute.

Gulf of St. Lawrence-New Brunswick-Cape Magdalen.-A revolving light showing red and white at intervals of two minutes, elevated 147 feet above the sea, has been established on this cape. In clear weather the