
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1897, 165 
towards the close a series of severe gales, notably on the 22nd 
and 24th, did not improve matters, as these were succeeded by 
frost and slight falls of snow. The erratic readings of the 
barometer indicated the changeable condition of the weather. The 
_ pressure varied from 28-20 inches on the 4th, with sharp changes 
to 29°85 inches, which was the highest point reached. This 
occurred on three occasions during the month. The rainfall was 
heavy, and the amount recorded was 4:05 inches, nearly the same 
as in the previous March, when the amount was 4:21 inches, 
There were only eleven dry days. In regard to the temperatures, 
these, like the rainfall, closely corresponded to what was recorded 
for the same month in 1896, The total amount of frost only 
reached 27°—the thermometer being at or below freezing point on 
seven occasions, while in March, 1896, the frost amounted to 31° 
over ten occasions—the average maximum temperature being 47° 
and the minimum 36°, against 46° and 34° respectively. 
Despite the changeable and somewhat unpropitious weather, 
several species of plants came into bloom during the month— 
those noted being Daphne Mezereum, Linn., Erica carnea, Linn., 
and Khododendron precox, Davis, on the 4th; Grape Hyacinths 
(Muscari), Squills (Scilla), and Dog’s-tooth Violet (Erythronium) 
on the 15th; and on the 24th Rhododendron Eugenie; while in 
sheltered places the Balsam Poplar was putting forth its leaves 
on the 10th and the Hawthorn bursting its buds on the 24th; 
but the progress which vegetation had made was rudely checked, 
and the young growths on Dogwoods, Elders, &c., injured by the 
frosts and N.E. winds experienced at the end of the month, 
April.—The weather experienced during this month was not of 
a very pleasant description, on account of the prevalence of cold 
easterly winds. The frost, which had set in during the latter 
days of March, continued for nearly a fortnight. With a change 
in the wind to westwards, there were several stormy days between 
the 10th and 17th, with heavy showers of rain and hail. There- 
after, until near the end of the month, the winds were chiefly 
from the N.E., and dry, cold weather prevailed. 
The rainfall was moderate, 2°01 inches only being recorded, the 
greatest amount for one day being 0°84 inch, when we had a 
thunderstorm. There were nineteen dry days. 
