ƲSE II. To know how much one Year or Season is dryer or moister than another.
IF the Hygroscope when it continues longest without some sensible Alteration, [Use 2] be taken for a Standard; by comparing Observations made at other Seasons of the Year, and in other Years, it will be easie to learn how much one Year is moister than another. How much these Observations may be of Use to Physicians, where Distempers arise from too much Moisture or Dryness, and to Husband-Men and Shepherds in ordering their Corn, and removing their Flocks, from too moist Ground, I shall leave un∣determin'd. But in order to make Predictions, it will be necessary to Register the Number, Bigness and Duration of the more considerable Spots, that appear or are dissipat'd near the Sun; and what Alterations happen to the Hy∣groscope at such times. Nor would it be a∣miss, to observe what Alterations happen upon Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, or great Con∣junctions of the Planets.