METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1897. 165 



towards the close a series of severe gales, notably on the 22nd 

 and 2<ithj did not improve matters, as these were succeeded by 

 frost and slight falls of snow. The erratic readings of the 

 barometer indicated the changeable condition of the weather. The 

 pressure varied from 28*20 inches on the 4th, with sharp changes 

 to 29-85 inches, which was the highest point reached. This 

 occurred on three occasions during the month. The rainfall was 

 heavy, and the amount recorded was 4-05 inches, nearly the same 

 as in the previous March, when the amount was 4*21 inches. 

 There were only eleven dry days. In regard to the temperatures, 

 these, like the rainfall, closely corresponded to what was recorded 

 for the same month in 1896. The total amount of frost only 

 reached 27° — the thermometer being at or below freezing point on 

 seven occasions, while in March, 1896, the frost amounted to 31* 

 over ten occasions — the average maximum temperature being 47* 

 and the minimum 36°, against 46° and 34° respectively. 



Despite the changeable and somewhat unpropitious weather, 

 several species of plants came into bloom during the month — 

 those noted being Daphne Ifezereum, Linn., Erica carnea, Linn., 

 and Rhododendron prcecox, Davis, on the 4th ; Grape Hyacinths 

 (Muscari), Squills (Scilla), and Dog's-tooth Yiolet (Erythronium) 

 on the 15th; and on the 24th Ehododendron Eugenie; while in 

 sheltered places the Balsam Poplar was putting forth its leaves 

 on the 10th and the Hawthorn bursting its buds on the 24th; 

 but the progress which vegetation had made was rudely checked, 

 and the young growths on Dogwoods, Elders, &c., injured by the 

 frosts and N.E. winds experienced at the end of the month. 



April. — The weather experienced during this month was not of 

 a very pleasant description, on account of the prevalence of cold 

 easterly winds. The frost, which had set in during the latter 

 days of March, continued for nearly a fortnight. With a change 

 in the wind to westwards, there were several stormy days between 

 the 10th and 17th, with heavy showers of rain and hail. There- 

 after, until near the end of the month, the winds were chiefly 

 from the N.E., and dry, cold weather prevailed. 



The rainfall was moderate, 2-01 inches onlv beins: recorded, the 

 greatest amount for one day being 0*84 inch, when we had a 

 thunderstorm. There were nineteen dry days. 



