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curiously enough, almost exactly coincide with the registrations 
of 1895. ; rea 
‘Owing to the absence of any check, vegetation continued to 
advance rapidly. Heaths, Narcissi, Dondia Epipactis, Spreng., 
and Dog’s-tooth Violet (Erythronium) were in full bloom within 
_ the first fortnight, and by the third week Rhododendron Eugenie 
_ and Scillas were abundant. The Balsam Poplar was in leaf, and 
many other trees were in an advanced state—in many cases a 
month earlier than in 1895. 
__» April.—Fine weather was experienced during the first week, 
after which, for ten days, it was changeable and much colder, with 
showers of hail and sleet. The latter half of the month was fine 
on the whole, though changeable towards the end. There was 
_ thunder on the 29th. 
_ There were twenty dry days in the month, and the rainfall 
amounted to only 1°83 inches. The readings of the barometer 
showed a fairly steady pressure, varying from 30°20 inches to 29°40 
inches, with no sudden changes, whilst the winds were from N.W. 
to $.W., excepting four days, when they were easterly. 
The comparative absence of frost, which has been somewhat 
remarkable of late years in April, was even more noticeable 
_ this year, as the thermometer was at or below freezing point 
being 7°. The temperature was slightly higher than in the. 
corresponding month of the previous year, the average maximum 
5 being 56° and the minimum 38°, against 34° and 27° respectively 
in 1895. 
_ With a continuance of the open weather which characterised 
the previous month, vegetation, which was abnormally early, made 
rapid progress. During the first week, leaves appeared on the 
., Ribes (of sorts), Rhododendron Eugenie, were in full bloom ; 
d by the end of the month many others, notably the Geans, had 
ssomed profusely. 
May.—The weather experienced throughout the month was 
ightful. The barometric readings were high, with slight 
ations. Excepting for a few days after the 18th, when 
we had rain, the pressure was betweén 30 and 30°30 inches, 
