NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 45 



by 9 p.m. zero ; unequalled, it is said, in that locality in 25 years 

 experience. Zero was reached at Lochloy, Nairnshire, and, indeed, 

 generally over North of Scotland. At Inverness, on December 

 2nd and 3rd, 1879, there were 18° of frost; while at Galashiels on 

 these days there were 37°, and at East Linton (both localities in 

 South of Scotland), there were 34°. A well at Essich, Inverness- 

 shire, not known to have been frozen during 50 years, was covered 

 with ice on Thursday 13th. At Abernethy no such continuance 

 of frost for 20 years — [Inverness Courier, 15. i. 81]. A fresh fall 

 of snow on 19th January. On night of 16th 34° of frost at 

 Dunipace. Ice on Larbert pond 8 inches thick on 17th. 



At Annual Meeting of Meteorological Society in Edinburgh, 

 25th February, 1881, it was stated that the lowest temp, recorded 

 by closed thermometer was at Stobo Castle — 15°, and the next 

 lowest — 13°, on 17th January. On the same date, however, it 

 showed 19° at Sumburgh Head, and 17° at Stornoway. The 

 month of January, 1881, was the coldest for 120 years, but in 

 January of 1767 the temperature fell 1£° lower at Butt of Lewis 

 and north of Caithness. All accounts from papers show the un- 

 exampled severity of the present season — [20. i. 81]. Heavier 

 snow-falls have occurred, as in 1878-9, but such intense frost has 

 probably not been equalled for 20 years, nor even then did the 

 severity continue for more than a fortnight. 



Several cases of frost-bite occurred near Inverness. Caledonian 

 Canal obstructed with ice up to Dochgarroch Locks. Ice reported 

 more than a foot thick on the Beauly, also 2 feet thick on still 

 water near Dingwall. Alcaig Ferry frozen, a rare occurrence. 

 Snow obstructions not bad, but 14-inch fall near Dingwall ; and 

 greater inland. Sheep suffering severely. Birds frozen to death, 

 or starved. Rooks, sea-gulls, &c, feeding on the streets in 

 Golspie. 



Each snow-storm since October, of which there were five, has 

 increased the rigour of winter. Wild- fowl abundant at all open 

 reaches or streams on Spey. Water ouzel nowhere at all affected 

 by the cold, singing lustily, as I heard it at Dunipace [18. i. 81]. 

 North end of Loch Awe frozen over, and all the rivers, also a large 

 portion of the Pass of Brander, which has not been frozen for a 

 number of years past. 



On Loch Tay-side small birds reported to be suffering greatly, 

 many falling dead from their perches in the more exposed places ; 



