NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 193 



Common Mole, Talpa europaea, Lin., from the Loch Lomond district, 

 and made some remarks on the variation in colour of this and 

 other species. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — Meteorological Notes and Remarks on the state of Vegetation 

 in the Public Parks of Glasgow daring the year 1881. By Mr. 

 D.M'Lellan, Superintendent of Parks. 



Twelve months ago, when I had the honour of presenting a few 

 notes on the weather during the year 1880, the retrospect was an 

 exceedingly pleasant one. It recalled the finest year for vegetation 

 that we have had for a very long period. The present report 

 is as gloomy as its predecessor was cheerful, but still it possesses 

 features worthy of attention. The year 1 88 1 has proved unfortunate 

 both for the gardener and the farmer. It was ushered in with 

 severe frost and snow, and during the whole of the year both 

 atmosphere and ground continued damp and cold, as will be 

 observed from the statistics of the several months which follow. 



January was of exceptional severity both for the animal and 

 vegetable kingdoms. The thermometer was at or below the freez- 

 ing point on 27 mornings, and registered 315° of frost. Four inches 

 of snow fell upon the 4th, and remained more or less upon the 

 ground until near the end of the month. This covering protected 

 the grass and smaller shrubs, but many evergreens were killed out- 

 right, and others suffered considerably. The Christmas rose 

 blossomed towards the end of the month and was the only plant 

 in flower out of doors. The average temperature was 27°, and the 

 prevailing winds were west by north. 



February was a variable month, the barometer being specially 

 irregular during the first fortnight. Snow and sleet fell on 9 days, 

 the remainder of the month being dry and cold. The ther- 

 mometer ranged at or below the freezing point on 13 mornings, the 

 total frost registered being 45 degrees. .The temperature averaged 

 36° and the rainfall was 3'66 inches. The prevalent winds were 

 west by south. 



March did not shew much improvement. Snow, sleet and rain 

 fell on 18 days, the total amount of the rainfall being 2 -44 inches. 

 The thermometer was at or below the freezing point on 17 mornings, 

 and registered 89 degrees of frost. The average temperature was 

 35°, and the prevailing winds were west by south-west. The 



