Meteorological Retrospect for 1836. 153 



on the water, but without a sound ; a violent and sudden wind 

 immediately followed it, by which the sea, within the limited 

 space, was thrown into great commotion. The wind blew 

 from every point of the compass, the vessels within its range 

 being obliged to let all their sheets fly, and the boats striking 

 their sails for safety. The fury of the gust lasted for about 

 an hour, and was confined to about a couple of square miles : 

 at its termination, all was again quiet. The subsequent 

 direction of the wind was between north and east, and the 

 barometer fell, but without a change of weather. 



Art. X. Meteorological Retrospect for the Year 1836. 

 By W. H. White, Esq. 



This year commenced with a very sharp frost. The mini- 

 mum temperature of the night of the 1st was 12° of Fahren- 

 heit, which was also the minimum for the whole year. Thaw 

 commenced on the 4th ; and on the 5th, at noon, the thermo- 

 meter stood, in the shade, at 50°. Frost returned on the 8th ; 

 a slight fall of snow took place on the 11th. The remainder 

 of the month was dry and mild. 



At 6 J a. m. on the 1 3th, a very beautiful meteor appeared 

 in the e., and took a s. w. direction. It was visible about 

 3 seconds with a short train of sparks. 



February was, upon the whole, a rough tempestuous month ; 

 n. and n. w. winds prevailing, particularly on the 1 7th and 

 18th, which were two very stormy days. The latter part of 

 the month was cold and wet ; nights slightly frosty. 



March exhibited an unusual range of the barometer; and 

 more than an average quantity of rain fell. There were only 

 four fine days. Prevailing winds, w. and s. w., with a few 

 frosty nights towards the close of the month. 



April was the coldest corresponding month known in Eng- 

 land for many years, especially at the close, which was cha- 

 racterised by severe frosts and snow, and strong northerly 

 winds. On the last day of the month, the thermometer was 

 29° at 8 a. m. ; which cold was very injurious to fruit trees 

 and tender vegetation. 



May was particularly noted for a continued series, for twenty- 

 eight days, of dry cold n. and n. e. winds : the only interrup- 

 tion was a s. w. wind on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. Grass 

 became parched with drought, and vegetation was scanty and 

 unhealthy. 



June was also a dry month, and not hot, with prevailing 



