Storm Glasses or Camphor Glasses as they are sometimes called, appear to have been invented by alchemists in England in the early part of the 18th century and were sold on London Bridge under the sign of the 'Looking Glass'.

Varying weather conditions cause the crystals contained in the glass to change in quantity and structure. In cold weather the crystals may fill the glass, growing down from the surface as well as up from the bottom, at other times there will be stars suspended motionless in the liquid.

In warmer conditions the crystals may disappear altogether only to reappear again when the weather cools.

Rear Admiral Robert FitzRoy, the Captain of the 'Beagle' in which Charles Darwin made his famous voyage of discovery became interested in Storm Glasses as an aid to forecasting the weather.

He was later to become the first head of the British Meteorological Office and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

A truly remarkable instrument that will give everlasting fascination.

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