METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1899. 145 



thermometer rose above 70°, the highest being 77° on the 11th, 

 and the average maximum temperature was 69°, while that of the 

 preceding June was 65°. The rainfall was only 1*55 inches, and 

 there were 22 dry days. 



As a result of the high temperature and soft south-west winds, 

 vegetation made up some of the leeway of the last two months — the 

 flowering trees and shrubs in the parks getting into full bloom. 

 Especially may be noted the fine show made by the weigela, red 

 flowering chestnuts, thorn, laburnum, &c. 



July. — The opening day of the month was cold and wet. with 

 light south-east wind. From the 4th to the 10th the weather 

 was finer, but on the 11th rain fell all day, and for the twenty- 

 four hours measured 1*22 inches. For the succeeding fortnight 

 the weather was dull and sultry, with frequent showers. Towards 

 the close of the month it became warmer and brighter. 



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The barometer on the 1st indicated the pressure at 29*20 

 inches, rising sharply to 30*00 inches on the 5th, and thereafter 

 remained high without much variation during the month. 



Rain fell during the month to the extent of 3*69 inches, and 

 there were 16 dry days. The average maximum temperature was 

 68°, one degree higher than in 1898, while the average minimum 

 was 53°, and in 1898 49°. During the month the thermometer 

 was at or above 70° on nine occasions. 



The refreshing rain of the month gave an added impulse to 

 vegetation, while the plants bedded out in the parks made 

 excellent growth, and presented a bright and pleasing display. 

 The various crops, which were almost stationary owing to the 

 drought, made rapid headway. 



August. — August was a month of great heat and little rain, 

 being the hottest and driest month of the year. It opened with 

 very warm weather, but from the 7th to 13th there was a spell of 

 cooler days and somewhat cold nights. Towards the end of the 

 month the heat was semi-tropical, with a regular succession of fine 

 days. 



The highest reading of the year was taken on the 24th, when 

 the thermometer touched 80°, which is the highest temperature 

 since 1893, when it reached the same figure. On 13 other 



