METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1895. 91 



on the 6tb, when the storm already noted set in, and the lowest 

 reading was on the 7th. 



The average day temperature was 34°, and the night 19°, 

 against 44° and 33° in 1894. 



March. — After the almost Arctic severity which characterised 

 the weather of the previous month, the open w^eather which 

 obtained during March was of a pleasant nature, despite the 

 prevalence of dull, sunless days. As an effect of the thaw the 

 harbour at Glasgow on the first of the month was completely 

 blocked by masses of ice from the upper reaches of the river, and 

 a Clutha steamer was sunk by the floating blocks. Although the 

 thermometer was only at or below freezing point on nine occasions, 

 and a total of 32° of frost registered, there was an absence of 

 bright sunshine, consequently the average day temperature was 

 somewhat low, being 46°, against 51° in 1894, while the average 

 night temperatures were almost alike, viz., 34° against 33°. 



Considering the prevalence of westerly winds, the rainfall was 

 abnormally low, only 1*17 inches falling. There were 15 dry days. 



The barometric readings were fairly steady for the first three 

 weeks — between 29*25 and 30 inches. There was a sharp fall 

 from 29-40 on the 23rd to 28*70 inches on the 24th, and, after 

 rising for three days, again sharply dropping to 28*50 inches on 

 the 28th, followed by a quick rise to 29*30 at the end of the 

 month. 



The frost having penetrated the ground to a considerable depth, 

 it was not till the middle of the month that vegetation showed 

 signs of being released from its icy bonds. The first blooms of 

 the Snowdrop opened about the 14th, and the Crocus on the 19th, 

 about six weeks later than in 1894. While the buds of deciduous 

 trees and shrubs swelled rapidly toward the end of the month, 

 they were equally late in comparison with the previous two 

 years. 



April. — Although favourable on the whole for outdoor work, the 

 weather during the first half of this month was somewhat similar 

 in character to that of March — generally dull, with sharp winds 

 and coldish showers. After the 19th, it was much milder and 

 more spring-like. As in the two years previous, there was a 

 comparative absence of hard frosts during the month. Only 25° 

 of frost were recorded on seven mornings, but, as indicating the 



