XVI. Additional observations tending to investigate the symptoms of the variable emission of the light and heat of the sun; with trials to set aside darkening glasses, by transmitting the solar rays through liquids; and a few remarks to remove objections that might be made against some of the arguments contained in the former paper

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Abstract
Having brought up the solar observations, relating to the symptoms of a copious emission of the light and heat of the sun, to the 2d of March, I give them continued in this Paper to the 3d of May. It will be seen, that my expectations of the continuance of the symptoms which I supposed favourable to such emissions, have hitherto been sufficiently verified; and, by comparing the phenomena I have reported, with the corresponding mildness of the season, my arguments will receive a considerable support. I have given the following observations without delay, as containing an outline of the method we ought to pursue, in order to establish the principles which have been pointed out in my former Paper. But we need not in future be at a loss how to come at the truth of the current temperature of this climate, as the thermometrical observations, which are now regularly published in the Philosophical Transactions, can furnish us with a proper standard, with which the solar phænomena may be compared. This leads me to remark, that, although I have, in my first Paper, sufficiently noticed the want of a proper criterion for ascertaining the temperature of the early periods where the sun has been recorded to have been without spots, and have also referred to future observations for shewing whether a due distribution of dry and wet weather, with other circumstances which are known to favour the vegetation of corn, do or do not require a certain regular emission of the solar beams, yet, I might still have added, that the actual object we have in view, is perfectly independent of the result of any observations that may hereafter be made, on the favourable or defective vegetation of grain in this or in any other climate. For, if the thermometer, which will be our future criterion, should establish the symptoms we have assigned, of a defective or copious emission of the solar rays, or even help us to fix on different ones, as more likely to point out the end we have in view, we may leave it entirely to others, to determine the use to which a fore-knowledge of the probable temperature of an approaching summer, or winter, or perhaps of both, may be applied; but still it may be hoped that some advantage may be derived, even in agricultural economy, from an improved knowledge of the nature of the sun, and of the causes, or symptoms, of its emitting light and heat more or less copiously.

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