METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1899. 145 



thermometer rose above 70", the highest being 77° on the ilth, 

 and the average maximum temperature was 69°, -while that of the 

 preceding June was 65°. The rainfall was only 1-55 inches, and 

 there were 22 dry daj-s. 



As a result of the high temperature and soft south-west winds, 

 vegetation made up some of the leeway of the last two months — the 

 flowering trees and shrubs in the parks getting into full bloom. 

 Especially may be noted the fine show made by the weigela, red 

 flowering chestnuts, thorn, laburnum, »tc. 



July. — The opening day of the month was cold and wet, with 

 licht south-east wind. From the 4th to the 10th the weather 

 was finer, but on the 11th rain fell all day, and for the twenty- 

 four hours measured 1"22 inches. For the succeeding fortnight 

 the weather was dull and sultry, with frequent showers. Towards 

 the close of the month it became warmer and brighter. 



The barometer on the Ist indicated the pressure at 29-20 

 inches, rising sharply to 30-00 inches on the 5th, and thereafter 

 remained high without much variation during the month. 



Rain fell during the month to the extent of 3-69 inches, and 

 there were 16 dry days. The average maximum temperature was 

 68°, one degree higher than in 1898, while the average minimum 

 was 53°, and in 1898 49°. During the month the thermometer 

 was at or above 70° on nine occasions. 



The refreshing rain of the month gave an added impulse to 

 vegetation, while the plants bedded out in the parks made 

 excellent growth, and presented a bright and pleasing display. 

 The various crops, which were almost stationary owing to the 

 drought, made rapid headway. 



August. — August was a month of great heat and little rain, 

 being the hottest and driest month of the year. It opened with 

 very warm weather, but from the 7th to 13th there was a spell of 

 cooler days and somewhat cold nights. Towards the end of the 

 month the heat was semi-tropical, with a regular succession of fine 

 days. 



The highest reading of the year was taken on the 24th, when 

 the thermometer touched 80°, which is the highest temperature 

 since 1893, when it reached the same figure. On 13 other 



