138 



J. HOPEINSON' EEPOET ON THE 



The mean rainfall in each of the minor river-basins or sub- 

 districts represented, was as follows : — 



ins. 



Lea., 



ins. 



Mimram 25-72 



Beane 25-75 



Rib 23-97 



Ash 27-74 



Upper Lea 24-99 



Lower Lea 27-31 



The total yearly fall ranged from 22-57 ins. at Odsey to 

 34-80 ins. at Moor Park, E,ickm ans worth ; and the total monthly 

 fall from 0-70 in. at Odsey in March to 5-75 ins. at Kens worth 

 in JS'ovember. The greatest fall in any one day was 1-70 in. at 

 Frogmore, Watford, on the 24th of August. 



Distribution of Rainfall in each Month. — The nomenclature used 

 in the following account of the chief falls of rain is the same as in 

 my previous reports, falls of at least \ inch being styled consider- 

 aile, |- inch veri/ considerable, 1 inch 'great, \\ inch very great, and 

 1^ inch heavy. There was no very heavy (If inch) or excessive 

 (2 inches) fall in the year. This analysis only applies to the 35 

 stations for which I have returns of the daily rainfall. 



January. — Rainfall about the average but on an unu.sually large 

 number of days, in the form of snow for a few days during the first 

 week, and for the last day or two. There was a considerable fall of 

 rain on the 14th at two stations (in the Lower Lea district). 



Februaby. — Eainfall about the average and on the usual number 

 of davs. There was a considerable fall at twenty-two stations on 

 the nth. 



March. — Kainfall a little below the average on a rather small 

 number of days, nearly all during the first half of the month, only 

 a veiy small quantity of rain falling after the 15th at about half 

 the number of stations on one or two days. On the 12th there 

 was a considerable fall of rain at five stations, and on the 14th the 

 fall was considerable at four stations, very considerable at five, and 

 great (1-07 in.) at Gorhambury. 



April. — Also a rather dry month, with rain on the usual number 

 of days, nearly all during the second half of the month, very little 

 rain falling before the 14th, and none at some stations. On the 

 18th there was a considerable fall at one station (Datch worth), and 

 on the 24th at five stations. 



May. — Although more rain fell than in either of the previous 

 three months, May was considerably drier than usual, but with 

 rather more than the usual number of wet days. On the 10th 

 there was a considerable fall at one station (Gorhambury), on 

 the 2Hth at seven stations, and on the 31st at two (in the Hiz 

 district). 



June. — The fourth month in succession with the rainfall 

 appreciably below the average, about the usual number of days 

 being wet. All the rain fell during the first three weeks, none 



i 



