METEOROLOGICAL 50TES DURING THE YEAR 1899. 143 



when snow fell to a depth of 4 inches, and was almost immedi- 

 ately followed by thaw and rain. The weather until the close of 

 the month was milder, with a heavy rainfall (1"20 inches) on the 

 28th. 



The atmospheric pressure was irregular and low, falling to 

 28'70 inches on the 9th, then rising rapidly to over SO'OO inches 

 on the 11th, and remaining higher for a week. 



The rainfall for the month was 3 18 inches. 



The amount of frost recorded was 72° for nine days, and the 

 lowest reading of the thermometer was 17* on the 24th, thus 

 showing 15° of frost. The total frost for the same month of 1898 

 was 45° for ten days. The average maximum and minimum 

 temperatures were 46° and 35° respectively, against 46° and 34° 

 in the previous year. 



The anticipations of an early season, fostered by the compara- 

 tively mild weather of the beginning of the year, began to lessen 

 with the severe weather of the latter part of March, and fears 

 were entertained that the Spring would be late. 



Notwithstanding the unpropitious weather several species of 

 plants came into bloom during tlie month, notably daphne, heath, 

 and Rhododendron nohleanum. 



April. — "With a prevalence of northerly and easterly winds, 

 this month continued cold and unseasonable. Though there was 

 abundance of rain the weather was cold, and there was scarcely a 

 warm day during the month. The opening days were cold and 

 showery, with dull and cloudy skies, and on the 12th a sharp 

 attack of frost occurred, and lasted intermittently till the 19th. 

 Towards the close of the month the weather became milder, till 

 on the last day of the month, when several degrees of frost were 

 again registered. 



The barometer throughout the month was low and irregular, 

 never reaching higher than 30 '00 inches, and lowest on the 13th 

 at 28"85 inches. 



The rainfall for the month was 3"18 inches, and there were 21 

 dry days. 



The amount of frost registered during the month was 24° on 

 seven mornings. The average maximum temperature was 52°, 



