228 

 METEOKOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR 1868. 



By E. J. ISBELL, Esq. 



To those who take any notice of the records of Meteorology the past year 

 has been one of singular interest, and will hereafter occupy a prominent place 

 in scientific history as a year distinguished for its very high temperature, ex- 

 traordinary drought, and abundant rainfall. 



The heat of July and the first five days of August, I quite believe, 

 equalled, if it did not surpass, any summer heat ever before experienced in 

 England by any person living. The drought during June and July exceeded 

 that of 1S64, its effects upon the depth of the river Wye feeing decidedly greater. 



And yet, strange to say, the total amount of rainfall during the year was 

 above the average by a very considerable amount ; the fall of rain being great in 

 August, and quite extraordinary during the month of December. 



Some thunderstorms remarkable for extent and severity occurred during 

 1868. 



April, according to Mr. Sjrmons, "had more than its share of electrical 

 phenomena, thunderstorms, large falls of hail, and diminutive but very violent 

 rushes of wind." This description of the weather during April applies to part 

 of Scotland and Ireland, and a very large portion of England. 



The extent of the thunderstorm (or storms) on the 29th of May was so 

 remarkable that Mr. Symons has published a map to show how vast a surface 

 of the country was affected by it. He says, " We have very little doubt that 

 not half the accidents are reported, but the following analysis is somewhat 

 fonnidable : — 



Churches struck ... 5 



Houses 10 



Oak tree 1 



Sheep kiUed ... 112 | Barn 1 



Lamp-post 1 



This storm reached Hereford, and in fact, nearly the whole of England felt 

 its influence ; but although the darkness at 8 a.m. was very remarkable, and 

 the storm lasted about four hours, no harm was done in the city itself. I 

 cannot answer for the surrounding country. 



Thunderstorms of extraordinary extent and severity occurred also on 

 the 11th and 12th of July. I am not aware that these storms affected our city 

 at all, at least I have no note to that effect ; but we had a thunderstorm on the 

 15th, when the chimney of the foundry in Bath-street was destroyed by a vivid 

 flash of lightning which appeared to descend in nearly a straight line from the 

 clouds. The great mass of metal in the foundry appeared to determine the 

 course of this flash. The men at work escaped without injury. 



During the past year, the volcanic regions of the globe have been fearfully 

 shaken by earthquakes, and a fearful loss of life has been the consequence of 

 these visitations. At least two shocks of earthquake were experienced in 



Men struck 16 



„ killed 4 



Beasts killed ... 13 



