135 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 

 for the Tear 1864. 



The yeax 1864 was remarkable for its dry atmosphere and 

 the number of its fine bright days. The dryness, indeed, during 

 the Months of April, May, June, July, and August, was so ex- 

 cessive as to be commonly spoken of as '• the drought" During 

 this period, the difference of reading between the dry and wet 

 bulb thermometers was commonly 10 or 12 degrees, sometimes 

 14, and, occasionally 16 ; a very extraordinary difference for 

 this climate. 



During the year 238 days were registered as fine or dry. 



The heat from May to August was at times very great. On 

 the 18th of May the thermometer in the shade rose to 81 "75 

 degrees, and on the 5th of August to 81 degrees ; but the highest 

 reading for the year (83 degrees) was registered on the 19th of 

 July. 



Only one thunder-storm of any importance occurred at 

 Hereford during the whole year : this storm took place on the 

 3rd of September, and lasted only three-quarters of an hour, in 

 ■which space of time 0-785 of an inch of rain fell, the greater 

 portion in the first twenty minutes. 



The coldest weather occurred in January and February. In 

 January the frost was severe, day and night, from the 2nd to 

 the 9th, In February the frosts were severe at night from the 

 5th to the 11th. The lowest reading of the thermometer (1775 

 degrees) was registered during the January frost, and again in 

 February. 



The mean reading of the barometer for 1864, is high. The 

 mercury rose 30 inches, or higher, on 111 days, and fell below 

 29 inches on 1 2 days only. The greatest range of the barometer 

 took place in November : on the 6th of that month the mercurial 

 column was 30*503 inches in height, and on the 14th the reading 

 at 9 a m. was 28-497 inches. 



