191 
months, have fallen to the eighth and eleventh ranks. As far as present investiga- 
tions have gone, it is impossible to lay down any general lawas to the precise 
months of maximum and minimum rainfall, but during the last decade of years 
«« April has been the driest month at most stations in the British Isles, while in the 
previous decade this distinction was pretty generally shared by February and 
May.” It is noteworthy that whilst in the first four months of the year the mean 
fall was 8°27, and in the second four months it was 5°83: in the last four months it 
reached 12°06 inches. As the yield of our wells and streams mainly depends on 
our autumnal rains it is satisfactory to find that they were greatly in excess of the 
downfall in the other divisions of the year, and that there is little cause to 
anticipate any deficiency during the present year. Our hopes are further 
strengthened by finding that January of the present year has yielded a mean fall 
of 4°14 inches, which is within 0°13 inch of the rainiest month of 1874. 
Before closing my report I desire to express my indebtedness to Mr. Isbell, 
for the altitudes of many of the Hereford stations. 
THE RAINFALL FOR THE COUNTY OF HEREFORD DURING THE 
YEAR 1875, BY THE REV. NASH STEPHENSON. 
There is now a permanent staff of twenty observers, who with almost unfailing 
regularity, send to you for publication the monthly record of the rainfall in their 
several localities. These twenty stations are so evenly scattered over the county 
that, with the exception of a station needed near Weobley, and one near 
Withington, which will be filled shortly by Mr. Higgins, of Thinghill, and one 
near Shobdon, the whole area is fairly and sufficiently represented. Additions 
near to existing stations are of little use, for they serve only the minor purpose of 
confirming the accuracy of old stations. 
HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL. 
During the past year the monthly returns have been rendered much more 
complete and scientific by the insertion in all cases of the diameter of the guage 
and its height above the ground, and with three exceptions, the height above sea 
level. The three excepted stations are Longtown, Hampton Court, and Wigmore. 
ON THE MONTHLY FALL OF RAIN IN 1875. 
On examining the subjoined Table A. it will be found that the rotation of 
months according to rainfall would be classified thus :—1, October ; 2, November ; 
3, January ; 4, September ; 5, June; 6, July ; 7, May; 8, August ; 9, February ; 
10, December ; 11, April ; and 12, March. The rainfall in October, which heads 
the list, was above the average in nearly all parts of England, and in Herefordshire 
it was specially so at West Malvern (8°18), Longtown (8°02), Lynhales (6°75), and 
Staunton-on-Wye (6°31). The minimum monthly rainfall this year occurred in 
April and March. It is singular that April, which is associated in our minds with 
rain, should prove to be nearly,the driest month of the last two years in Hereford- 
- shire, and that during the/last decade of years it has also proved to have been so at 
most stations in the British Isles. This year February holds the ninth rank, last 
