uncertain as to the time it commences or ceases; and not unfrequently fails for several days together.

The hottest time of the day is at 2 h. 20 m. P.M.; the coldest, at 4 h. 0 m. A.M.

August. The regular westerly winds, which terminate about the middle of this month, are succeeded by winds of a light and variable nature, mostly from the west and south. Calms, haze, and rain, occur in about the same proportions as last month, leaving about eight days of clear weather. Lightning, unattended by thunder, is very frequent, but thus accompanied, it occurs only once or twice. The sea-breeze assumes much the same character as that experienced last month; commencing at 2 or 3 P.M., and continuing till 8 or 10 P.M. Dew is sometimes discovered, but more frequently fails.

The hottest time of the day is at 2 h. P.M.; the coldest, at 3 h.

A. M.

September.-Throughout this month, light and variable winds, with occasional calms, continue. And with the exception that the weather is not quite so much clouded, the remarks of last month apply with equal propriety to this. Lightning occurs almost every evening, but accompanied by thunder three times only. The seabreeze sets in about 2 or 3 P.M.; and blows till 8 or 10 A.M., but occasionally fails for two or three days together. Dew is common, but small in quantity.

The hottest time of the day is at 2 h. P.M.; the coldest at 4 h. 20 m. A.M.

October. The clouds now begin to assume a more dense appearance than heretofore. Calms, lightning, and rain are very frequent, till the 9th, when the N.E. monsoon, or rainy season, sets in. From this time till the end of the month, the atmosphere assumes a very disturbed appearance. Extremely heavy rain, with storms of wind, thunder, and lightning, invariably occur; and gales of wind, of a similar nature to those which occur in the earlier part of the year,* are sometimes experienced. On these occasions a depression of the barometer of four or five-tenths of an inch is observed. The seabreeze, or rather a slight modification of the N.E. wind is perceived towards the middle of the day.

The hottest time of the day is at 1 h. P.M.; the coldest, at 4 h. 50 m. A.M.

November.-The N.E. monsoon continues with unabated force, and the state of the weather generally is much the same as that experienced towards the end of last month, save that an increased dampness of the air, and the less frequent occurrence of lightning, render a distinction necessary. The number of clear and cloudy days in this, as well as last month, is liable to great uncertainty.

See remark for month of May.

The remarks relative to the sea-breeze of last month apply equally to this.

The hottest time of the day is at 0 h. 20 m. P.M.; the coldest at 5 h. 40 m. A.M.

December. The heavy rains and violent gusts of wind are much moderated at the beginning of the month, and arrive at their close about the 15th. From this time, the sky assumes an appearance of tranquility and clearness, which forms a strong contrast with the disturbed state of the preceding month. The N.E. wind, however, continues throughout the month, without interruption; there are about thirteen clear days, eleven cloudy, and seven days of flying clouds and haze. Of these there are six days on which rain falls. The mornings exhibit a copious deposition of dew, and sometimes a ground fog, which does not reach more than two or three feet above the surface. The sea-breeze sets in at 10 A.M., and blows till 4 P.M. The hottest time of the day is at 0 h. 50 m. P.M.; the coldest, at 2 h. 50 m. A.M.

PASSAGES IN INDIA.

MR. EDITOR, As many English vessels come to Madras on "seeking" voyages, the accompanying Table of "average passages from different ports in India to Madras" may suit the columns of your highly serviceable Journal. The table is deduced from actual passages made to Madras from the different ports, and can therefore be relied on as accurate.

Wishing you every success, I am your's always, Madras, 15th August, 1837.

J. F. M. Table, showing the average Number of Days occupied in Passages from different Ports of India to Madras, throughout the Year.

LIGHT FOR CAERNARVON BAR.

MR. EDITOR, -A correspondence between the member for the Caernarvon boroughs and the Trinity House, respecting my proposal for placing a floating light to enable vessels to cross Caernarvon Bar, having found its way into the Shipping Gazette, I take the earliest opportunity of putting you in possession of the plan, believing it to be one of great importance to many of your readers.

The value of a light at the western entrance of the Menai Straits can scarcely be doubted, when the position of Caernarvon Bar, and the extensive trade carried on within it, are considered.

When every seaman's attention is drawn, as at this moment, to the necessity of forming ports of refuge on our coasts for the protection of the passing trade, it appears to me no less necessary to see how far our present harbours may be improved, and rendered efficient for that purpose.

I do believe that a judicious scheme of lights at Caernarvon Bar would materially.lessen the dangers of that deep bay.

At present, a ship dare not attempt Caernarvon Bar without daylight, however urgent the necessity; and the alarming consequence of being surprised by night is so manifest, as to require no argument. Besides, there are certain periods when it is literally closed to a ship of any draft. For instance, in the short days of winter, when the tide flows at six o'clock, or thereabouts. Even in fine weather, no ships could venture to run for the Bar during a fog, without the gong or bell of a light-vessel to apprise them of their position.

So much for the navigation of the strait itself; but a light-vessel, well-placed, would prove invaluable as a warning to vessels as they approach the dangerous coasts of Anglesea and Caernarvon;-for it is a fact worthy of attention, that Bardsey and the South Stack lights are both lost sight of long before you reach Caernarvon Bar on either side.

I have very little doubt but that if Caernarvon Bar was lighted, many ships would prefer the infinitely shorter voyage to Liverpool by the Menai Straits, than the one at present adopted round Anglesea.

The plan which I have proposed is, that a light-ship should be placed within the protection of the Bar, and near about the place where the red buoy at the South sand-head now lies; and instead of the small perch now on the Muscle-bank, that a substantial building of masonry, surmounted by a small lantern, be erected there.

To sail in over the Bar, it will then only be necessary for a vessel to bring the light-ship to bear about E.N.E. by compass, which course would lead close by the Black or Bar buoy, and passing her on the starboard hand, to steer for the beacon, or standing light; the two to be kept, one ahead, and the other astern: leave the beacon light on the

larboard hand, and having passed it, bring the two lights in one; this will lead into the straits between Abermenai and Belan points.

By the adoption of this plan, the seaman would be relieved from much anxiety, there being only one compass-bearing to attend to; for when past the floating light, the two in a line lead into safety.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

W. L. SHERINGHAM, Lieut. R.N.

To the Editor of the NAUTICAL MAGAZINE.

THE MANACLES ROCKS.

THE following notice has been issued by the Trinity House, London, dated 24th March, 1838. "In compliance with a representation which has been addressed to this Corporation, a black buoy, marked with the word Manacles' upon its head, has been placed at 18 fathoms at low water spring tides, 56 fathoms S. E. from the outer sunken rock at the eastern extremity of the Manacles Ridge, and with the following marks and compass-bearings, viz. :

:

"The southernmost building upon the high land southward of Coverack, apparently midway between the two outer rocks off the north point of that cove, W. by S. Mawnan church tower, on with the first rise of the land from the sea, upon the Nare Point, N. by W. Black Head, W.S.W. W. St. Kevern's church spire, N.W. by W. St. Anthony's light tower, N.E. by N.

"J. HERBERT, Secretary."

MANACLES BUOY.

London, March 30th, 1838.

SIR,-Having just reached London, from Falmouth, I was glad to find on my arrival at the latter place, that the Elder Brethren had laid down a buoy outside the " Manacles" outer rocks.

The trade has long required this attention on the part of the Trinity House. The only remark now made is, Why, as it is a black buoy, it should not have a beacon to distinguish it from the buoy on the shoal ground, called the "Old Wall," to the southward of "St. Anthony's Head," which is also black. For now it is quite possible that a mistake might arise in thick and hazy weather, whereas, with a beacon attached, it could hardly be possible.

Having property afloat frequently using Falmouth harbour, I am naturally anxious on the above arrangement; and as you show yourself at all times ready to assist the mariner, through the various useful articles you notice in the Nautical Magazine, induces me to trouble you on this occasion, with a hope that, should it be perused by any of the gentlemen before mentioned, they will, on their reconsidering the

case, be pleased to give a beacon to the present plain black buoy on outer Manacle Rock, or rather laid down outside of it.

Remaining, Sir, your obedient servant,

VERAX.

Falmouth, April 7. The pilot who reported the buoy being adrift in the channel between the Land's End and the Lizard, states to-day, that in passing off those head lands on Thursday, he observed a lighter and a cutter engaged in weighing it.-Shipping Gazette.

[QUERY. Is this the new buoy referred to by our correspondent? If so, the Trinity House will have time enough to consider his suggestions before replacing it.ED. N. M.]

LIGHT ON ST. CATHERINE'S POINT, ISLE OF WIGHT.

THE following notices, dated 6th April, 1838, have been issued by the Trinity House. "This corporation having resolved to establish a light-house at St. Catherine's Point, in the Isle of Wight, and the construction of the necessary tower having commenced, notice thereof is hereby given, that the exhibition of the intended light therein, will take place in the spring of 1839. Mariners are to observe that this new light will be seen as a fixed bright light in all directions seaward, and that from the time of its exhibition, the light at the Needles point will be discontinued as a Channel light, and will not be visible to the southward of the line of bearing of St. Alban's Head.

"By order,

"J. HERBERT, Secretary."

MENAI LIGHT.

"The light tower which has been for some time past constructing upon the extremity of Black Point, in Anglesea, at the north-eastern entrance of the Menai Straits, being now nearly completed, a light will be exhibited therein in about two months from this date. Mariners are to observe, that the light in this tower will be stationary, and of a red colour, visible from N. W. W. seaward, to S. W. W., excepting that by the intervention of Puffin Island the light will be eclipsed to vessels upon the bearings from it of E. by N. N. to E. S. Notice of the precise time at which the first exhibition of this light will take place, will be issued in due course.

"By order,

"J. HERBERT, Secretary."

NEW BUOYS AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE DEE.

The following notice, dated 29th March, has been issued by the Trinity House. "Two additional Buoys, marked as hereunder men