102 NOTES ON THE RAIN-FALL FOR 1858. 



over a period of years, affords data for, perhaps, a more correct 

 estimate of the humidity of a place, than a mere record of quan- 

 tity, which is frequently disturbed by thunder storms and other 

 events of a purely local character. 



These almanacs have been entrusted to the following gentle- 

 men, who have kindly made the required observations for the 

 Club :— 



Belford Mr. W. J. Hindhaugh. 



DuNTERLEY, near Bellingliam Mr. John T. Dixon. 



Langleeford, Cheviot Mr. W. Henderson. 



Cramlington Mr. Thomas Atthey. 



WiNDYHAUGii, Coquetdale Mr. Thomas Chishohn. 



Newcastle Mr. H. T. Mennell. 



RoTiiBURY Mr. T. Graham. 



Seaiiam Harbour Mr. George Hodge. 



SuxDERLAND Rcv. George Iliff. 



On the whole, the year has been one of unusual dryness ; 

 indeed, with the exception of a moderate fall in December, 1857, 

 there may be said to have been an actual drought from November, 



1857, to the end of June 1858, which was severely felt by the 

 farmers, and many of the manufacturers of the district. 



In July several heavy thunder storms afforded some relief, 

 particularly one on the 24th of that month, which was felt with 

 more or less severity at all our stations from the Tees to the 

 Coquet. 



The valuable meteorological records of Mr. Atkinson, of Wylam 

 Hall, extending, as they do, over a large number of years, afford 

 us the means of illustrating the unusual dryness of the year. 

 During a period of twelve years, extending from 1845-57, the 

 average fall of rain, in the vale of Tyne, was 32-59 inches; in 



1858, it was only 18*20; the fall in 1858 was, therefore, little 

 more than half an average one. If we were to take only the 

 first six months of the year, the result would be still more strik- 

 ing; as, from July to December, the fall was nearly an average 

 one. In the table of wet and dry days, the prevailing winds are, 

 in several cases, given; from them it will be seen that westerly 

 winds were by far the most nunierous; and although this is, I 

 believe, usually the case, yet, in 1858, we had much fewer 



