METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1896. 107 



curiouslv enough, almost exactly coiucide with tlie registrations 



of 1895. 



0^vin<y to the absence of anv check, veojetation continued to 

 advance rapidly. Heaths, Narcissi, Dondia Ejnpactis, Spreng., 

 and Dog's-tooth Violet (Ervthronium) were in full bloom within 

 the first fortnight, and by the third week Rhododendron Eugenie 

 and Scillas were abundant. The Balsam Poplar was in leaf, and 

 manv other trees were in an advanced state — in many cases a 

 month earlier than in 1895. 



April. — Fine weather was experienced daring the first week, 

 after which, for ten days, it was changeable and much colder, with 

 showers of hail and sleet. The latter half of the month was fine 

 on the whole, though changeable towards the end. There was 

 thunder on the 29th. 



There were twenty dry days in the month, and the rainfall 

 amounted to only 1-83 inches. The readings of the barometer 

 showed a fairly steady pressure, varying from 30*20 inches to 29*40 

 inches, with no sudden changes, whilst the winds were from N.W. 

 to S.W., excepting four days, when they were easterly. 



The comparative absence of frost, which has been somewhat 

 remarkable of late years in April, was even more noticeable 

 this year, as the thermometer was at or below freezing point 

 (32°) on three mornings only, the total amount of frost recorded 

 being 7°. The temperature was slightly higher than in the 

 corresponding month of the previous year, the average maximum 

 being 56° and the minimum 38°, against 3-4° and 27° respectively 

 in 1895. 



AYith a continuance of the open weather which characterised 

 the previous month, vegetation, which was abnormally early, made 

 rapid progress. During the first week, leaves appeared on the 

 Alder, Birch, Elm, Sycamore, Bowan, and Horse Chestnut, while 

 Berheris dulcis, Sweet, i>. Aqui/oliuni, Pursh., I{e7'r{a jajJOJiica, 

 DC, Ribes (of sorts), Rhododendron Eugenie, were in full bloom ; 

 and by the end of the month many others, notably the Geans, had 

 blossomed profusely. 



Jfcuj. — The weather experienced throughout the month was 

 delightful. The barometric readings were high, with slight 

 variations. Excepting for a few days after the 18th, when 

 we had rain, the pressure was betMoen 30 and 30'30 inches. 



