METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1896. 109 



about the City is rarely obtained. The grass fields, which were 

 browned by the drought of May. rapidly recovered and assumed 

 a verdant appearance. 



July. — With a prevalence of S.W. winds, the weather was 

 changeable and showery, but, on the whole, the atmosphere was 

 mild and pleasant, though it became much colder towards the end 

 of the month, consequent on the cooling effect which heavy rains 

 had on the air. The barometric pressure was within a moderate 

 range, varving from 29-80 on the 1st to 29 "50 on the 9th, when we 

 had a very heavy rainfall; then it rose to 30-06 on the 16th, 

 17th, and 18th. when fine weather was experienced; after which 

 the barometer steadily fell to 29-40 on the 26th. From that 

 date the changes were erratic. 



As in the corresponding month of the previous year, the rain- 

 fall was above the average; the amount registered was 3-92 

 inches, with nineteen dry days. On four days of the month the 

 rainfall w^as heavy, when over half an inch fell within each 

 twentv-four hours : the heaviest fall occurred on the 9th, when 

 1-22 inches were registered. 



On account of the heavy rainfall, the temperature was not 

 high, the average maximum being 6-4° and the average minimum 

 49° — the former the same as in July, 1895, and the latter 1° 

 higher. 



The moist, warm atmosphere had the natural effect of causing 

 luxuriant growth on vegetation, especially on grass, whilst there 

 was a paucity of bloom on summer bedding plants. 

 ' August. — For three weeks the weather was good (some days in 

 fact were remarkably pleasant), but towards the end of the month 

 it became unsettled and more akin to what was experienced in 

 August of the two previous years. 



The temperature, however, was somewhat lower than in the 

 preceding year, the average maximum being 63° and the minimum 

 48° — the same as in 1894 — but 2° in the maximum and 4° in the 

 minimum lower than in 1895. As a comparison it may be stated, 

 that while in August, 1895, the maximum day temperature was 

 twice above 70°, the nearest approach to that point last August 

 was 68° on the 12th, while the minimum or night temperature 

 was only ten times above 50°, whereas in 1895 it was twenty- 

 four times above that point. However, though the temperature 



