622 



PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



The General Mean of the Monthly Temperature of the Atmosphere is deduced from an 

 average of five years, namely from 1849 to 1853, inclusive: — 



On May 31st., June 16th., August 19th., 1853, the sea attained its maximum temperature, 

 when it reached 59 deg. Far., and January 2nd. and 3rd. it was at its minimum temperature, 

 namely, 38 deg. Far., or 6 deg. only above freezing point. The maximum monthly mean, 56 

 deg. 75 miu., occurred in the month of August; the minimum, 40 deg. 52 min., occurred in 

 January. The greatest difference between the temperature of the sea, and the general mean 

 monthly temperature of the atmosphere, occuiTed in July, when that of the sea was 5 deg. 75 

 min. below that of the atmosphere. In 1853, the difference was probably greater than the 

 average. The smallest difference occurred in February, when the sea was warmer than the air 

 by deg. 61 min. 



The temperature of the sea during the six months of the year, namely from October to 

 March inclusive, exceeded that of the atmosphere, the prevailing winds during that period 

 being westerly. During the months of April and May, when this amount of funded heat has 

 been entirely given out, and the prevailing winds are easterly, the cooling influence of the sea 

 breezes is felt very keenly. These winds, blowing over the great northern plain of Germany, 

 are rendered still colder by the small quantity of warmth they may contain, being abstracted 

 by the surface of the water. The sea is the warmest, as all bathers are practically aware, 

 though still colder than the surrounding air, during the months of July, August, and September, 

 and it is then also, that the refreshing coolness of the sea-side is most eagerly sought. In 

 October, however, a change takes place, the sea being warmer than the air by more than 2 

 deg., and an excess of temperature is maintained throughout the winter months. Thus the 

 warmth absorbed by the sea during the hotter months is slowly given up during the colder 

 months of the year, rendering the climate of the sea-coast warmer, milder, and more equable 

 than that of inland localities. A striking illustration of this fact occurred in the month of 

 January of the present year. On the night of the 2nd. and 3rd., a thermometer in the air 

 at York sank to 3 J deg. below zero ; at Ilackness to more than 2 deg. below zero ; whilst the 

 minimum temperature observed at Scarborough was 20 deg. F., which shows a difference of 

 nearly 24 deg. F. between York and Scarborough, and a difference of 22 deg. of warmth between 

 Hackness and Scarborough, mainly due to the proximity of the latter to the sea. I may 

 here draw attention to the temperature of fresh-water springs in the neighbourhood of Scar- 

 borough, as indicative of its mean annual temperature. Cayton Spring for instance, from 

 which Scarborough derives its supply of water, has a uniform temperature of 49 deg. F., as it 

 issues from the rock about seventy-five feet above high- water mark. During the severe weather 

 of the past winter, a thermometer held in the air showed the temperature below freezing 

 point, but when plunged into the spring the mercury rose to 49 deg. F. 



These remarks are offered as a very humble begiiming of inquiries which in time it is hoped 

 ■will be extended, and upon which I trust at a future period to present to the Society's notice 

 some conclusions which at present are but faintly indicated, and require a further series of 

 observations to be deemed deserving of favourable consideration. 



