AND METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 319 



THE METEOROLOGY OF 1887. 



The following Table gives a comjDarison of the prevalence of 

 winds during 1887 with the averages of previous years, from 

 which it is seen that E., S.E., S., and S.W. were 30 days fewer, 

 and W., N.W., N., and N.E. winds 27 days more than usual, 

 and calms 3 days more than usual. The wind force, though 

 above the average, was considerably stronger than in 1886. 



Table showing for Wind Direction and Force, and for Sun- 

 shine, the excess above, or the defect from, the averages of 

 previous years: — 



Accompanying this rather unusual deficiency of southerly and 

 easterly winds there was, taking Scotland as a whole, a marked 

 deficiency in the rainfall throughout the year, the means of each 

 month being under the averages of previous years, except in 

 September, when it was slightly above it. So widespread was 

 this low rainfall, that nowhere in the United Kingdom was the 

 average reached. In several districts in the south-east of 

 Ireland, and the south-west of Scotland, the deficiency exceeded 

 40 per cent., and over very large portions of Great Britain and 

 Ireland not more than two-thirds of the average amounts of 

 rain were collected. On the other hand, in the extreme north 

 and north-west of these islands, the average rainfall was nearly 

 reached. The obvious result of this state of things was a 

 threatened water famine in many parts of the country, and 

 much loss was sustained by the agricultural interest. 



