The other excessive year was 1852, when 79'954 inches fell, being only- 

 four inches less than in 1872. But, there was this remarkable difference 

 between the two years. In 1852, in the months of January, November, 

 and December, we had 43'i9o inches; whilst in 1872, in the same 

 months, the fall was 34*920 inches ; thus showing that with four inches 

 /ess rain in the whole year of 1852, there were 8*27 inches more in the 

 three rainiest months. 



The smallest quantity which fell in any year within the twenty-five 

 years, was in 1855, when it was 37'4oo inches. There have been nine 

 years above the average, viz: — 1852, 1859, 1861, 1863, 1866, 1868, 

 1869, 1872, and 1874. 



During the period when Mr. Otley made his observations, viz : — 

 from 1842 to 185 1, Dr. John Fletcher Miller, of Whitehaven, had rain 

 gauges placed at many stations in the Lake country ; he was the first 

 person who attempted on a large scale, a system of mountain gauges, 

 which, on his lamented decease, were taken up by Isaac Fletcher, Esq., 

 M.P., of Tarn Bank, Cockermouth, and he still continues the 

 observations. Dr. Miller's observations led him to the conclusion that 

 "the quantity of rain increases from the valley upwards to an altitude of 

 about two-hundred feet, at which it begins to diminish." He says — 

 "the mountains increase in altitude with great regularity, and it is here 

 the greatest depth of rain invariably is found ; the difference in the 

 annual quantity between places contiguous to each other in the same 

 valley is often remarkably great. The amount increases rapidly as we 

 recede from the sea, and towards the head of the valley the increment 

 ratio is enormous." 



"Loweswater, Buttermere, and Gatesgarth, are in the same line of 

 valley, and are about two miles apart from each other, yet in 1848, 

 Loweswater had received seventy-six inches; Buttermere, 98 inches; 

 and Gatesgarth, 133^ inches of water. Here in a space of four miles, 

 we have a difference of fifty-seven inches in twelve months, and in some 

 years the proportional increase is still greater. The head of Eskdale 

 receives one-fourth more rain than the middle of the valley, and a Hke 

 difference obtains between two stations in the vale of Borrowdale about 



