92 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



continued low range of temperature, the averages were 2° lower 

 than in 1894, the maximum being 54° and the minimum 37°, 

 against 56° and 39° respectively. The rainfall — 1"05 inches — was 

 somewhat less than in the corresponding month of the preceding 

 year, wliile there was the same number (14) of dry days. 



Beyond the ordinary variations by changes in the direction of 

 the wind, the barometric readings were within a moderate range, 

 the outstanding feature being a fall of an inch in the pressure 

 within twenty -four hours. From 29-80 on the 5th the pressure 

 fell to 28 "80 on the 6th, when a sharp gale from the S.W. was 

 experienced. The highest readings of the month were 30*10 

 inches, consecutively from the 12th to 15th, with N.E. winds. 

 On nine occasions the winds were easterly, the S.W. winds pre- 

 dominating during the other days. Consequent on the absence 

 of soft, warm weather, vegetation did not make very rapid growth, 

 but as no serious check occurred, there was steady progress. 

 Daphnes, Erythroniums, and Dondia JEpipactis, Spreng., &c., were 

 in bloom during the first week, while by the third week the 

 White-flowered Rhododendron " Eugenie " and Hyacinths were 

 plentifully in bloom, and were very satisfactory considering the 

 severity of the winter. 



31 ai/. — Although somewhat hard and dry in consequence of the 

 prevalence of easterly winds, with the bright sunshine there was 

 a marked improvement in the temperature, and despite the 

 occasional high gusty winds, the weather throughout the month 

 was pleasant and bracing. It was in striking contrast to that of 

 the corresponding month in 1894, which was wet and unsettled, 

 and signalised by a frost disastrous to vegetation. During the 

 month no frost was recorded — an infrequent occurrence for May 

 — consequently with the amount of sunshine enjoyed the average 

 temperatures were higher than in the same month of 1894 by 5° 

 on the minimum, and 8° on the maximum, the figures being 42° 

 and 63° respectively. Four times during the month, viz., on the 

 7th, 28th, 30th, and 31st, the maximum thermometer in shade 

 was above 70°. On the last-mentioned dav it was 75°. The 

 ranse of the barometric readings was moderate in extent. For 

 several days during the first week the pressure was about 30*40 

 inches, and afterwards a steady decline took place until the lowest 

 reading was reached on the 31st, viz., 29*50 inches. 



