THE FROSTS OF RECENT YEARS. 297 



14-1. The 11 days from the 12th to the 22nd had a mean 

 of 28"0, with a minimum of 19"2 on the 15th. 



12. In March, 1867, a frost occurred which was severe for 

 the time of year. The 8 days from March 12 th to March 

 19th had a mean temperature of 31*4, and a minimum (on 

 the 17th) of 23-2. On the 19th snow fell very heavily, and 

 lay on the ground to an average depth of 12 inches. 



13. The winter of 1870-71 was marked by a hard frost of 

 15 days' duration. From the 21st of December to the 4th of 

 January the mean temperature was 24*8, and the minimum 

 on the 1st of January was 10"0. 



14. In 1874-75 a frost which set in December 15th lasted 

 with partial intermissions until January 1st. The mean 

 temperature of those 18 days was 30*0, and the minimum (on 

 December 31st) was 13'6. 



15. 16, 17. The winter of 1878-79 was the first of three 

 winters, all of which were distinguished in one part or 

 another by an exceptional degree of cold. In 1878-79 a 

 heavy snow on the last night of October ushered in a winter 

 which later on included three frosts, each of considerable 

 duration. Between December 8th and December 25th there 

 were 18 days with an aggregate mean temperature of 30*3 ; 

 between January 5th and January 12th, 8 days with a mean 

 of 26*9 ; between January 20th and February 1st, 13 dajs 

 with a mean of 30*6. The lowest temperature of the season 

 was 16'4 on January 12th. There was skating in this 

 neighbourhood as early as December 41th. 



18, 19. In 1879-80 there were two continued frosts : the 

 one from November 30th to December 12th, 13 days with 

 a mean of 29*8 ; the other from January 18th to January 

 28th, 11 days with a mean of 28-7. The early date of the 

 former of these frosts was its most striking feature. Skat- 

 ing was reported in the neighbourhood of Bristol on the 2ud 



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