167 



Feet. 



Cader Idris, Merionethshire ... ... ... 2,914 



Snowdon, ditto ... ... ... 3,570 



Arran Fowddy, ditto ... ... ... 2,955 



Arenig, ditto ... ... ■■• 2,809 



Plinlimmon, Cardiganshire ... ... ... 2,463 



*Brecon Beacon, Breconshire ... ... ... 2,910 



*Gader, ditto ... ... ... 2,660 



*Mynydd Troed, ditto ... ... ... 2,000 



Cradle Mountain, ditto ... ... ... 2,630 



*Sugar Loaf, Monmouthshire ... ... ... 1,954 



•Radnor Forest, Radnorshire ... ... ... 2,160 



Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire ... ... ... 1,134 



May HiU, ditto 973 



Malvern Hill, Worcestershire ... ... ... 1,394 



Herefordshire Beacon ... ... ... ... 1,390 



Long^ynd ... ... ... ... •. 1,674 



tGarwayHill 1,197 



Mr. Henry Southall was next called upon by the President to read a 

 paper on 



OUR ENGLISH WINTERS— WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE 

 RECENT PROTRACTED PERIOD OF COLD WEATHER. 



The unusual continuance of very severe weather is a matter of such recent 

 experience and universal comment, that it may be interesting to ascertain how far 

 a comparison with former years shows it to have been exceptional in its character, 

 and to what extent there has been a departure from the average temperature of the 

 season. Memory is but little to be trusted without accurate observation and 

 notice. I well remember how in the bitter season of 1844 — 45, the remark was 

 common that it was the most severe winter for 40 years, notwithstanding the 

 occurrence of the celebrated " Murphy's" frost of 1838 (seven years before), and 

 also how, two years later, in 1847, the same period of 40 years w^s alleged to have 

 elapsed since a similar pinch. I think I can prove, however, that the "oldest 

 inhabitant " would be right in saying that we must go back half a century, at 

 least, to find a parallel to the late prolonged inclemency. 



It is well known that the winter climate of these Islands is much milder 

 than that of the same latitude on the continents of Europe, Asia, and America, 

 and that this arises, not only from our insular position, but also from the preva- 

 lence of south-westerly winds, which, warmed by the high temperature of the 

 Gulf Stream, over which they move, bring with them the heat and moisture of the 

 tropics. When, however, as has been the case this year, northerly and easterly 

 currents have taken their place, we experience a continental instead of an oceanic 

 climate, and have snow and frost instead of rain and warmth. We know too 



t Woolhope Transactions, i86g. 



