Butterflies; Lamarck, Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet de, 1744-1829
So convinced was Lamarck of the accuracy and value of his theory, that
he resolved on reducing it to practice, and thus at the same time
establish its truth, and attract the attention of the public towards
it. For this purpose he drew up a series of almanacks, which he had
the perseverance to publish for ten consecutive years, the nature
of which will be best understood from the title of that which first
appeared. “Annual Meteorology for the Year VIII of the Republic (1800,
A. D.), containing an Exposition of the Probabilities acquired by a
long Series of Observations on the State of the Weather, and Variations
of the Atmosphere, in different Seasons of the Year; an Indication of
the Times when it may be expected to be fine Weather, or Rain, Storms
and Tempests, Frosts, &c.: finally, an Enumeration, according to
Probabilities, of the Times favourable for Fêtes, Journeys, Voyages,
Harvest, and other Undertakings, in which it is of Importance not to
be interrupted by the Weather; with simple and concise Directions
regarding these new Measures.” His predictions, as might have been
expected, proved more frequently erroneous than otherwise, but this
circumstance was far from inducing him to discontinue his exertions.
Every year he had recourse to some new consideration,--such as the
phases, the apogee and perigee of the moon, and the relative position
of the sun, to account for his previous failure, and afford greater
certainty in his future prognostications. After every expedient had
been tried without success, he was at last obliged to renounce the
labour as fruitless, satisfied that, however important it would be to
foresee the state of the weather, it depends on causes far too remote
and complex to be made the subject of calculation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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