18 
storm of Jan. 26, 1884, when at Aberdeen the mercury fell to 
the lowest measurement on record in the British Islands, 27°88, 
was given. At Briercliffe, which is 700 feet above sea-level, the 
index shewed 27:55; the rushes of the hurricane being accom- 
panied by quick oscillations of the barometer. The barometrical 
phenomena on that memorable day were the most remarkable he 
had ever experienced. 
Of the members who joined in the debate which followed 
the reading of the paper was Mr. Alfred Lancaster. He gave the 
figures obtained by the ‘‘ eminent virtuoso”’ Richard Towneley, 
who measured the rainfall of this district. The average rainfall 
for the years 1694 to 1704 was 424 inches; a record which bears 
a remarkable similarity to the average obtained at the Corporation 
Rain Gauge at Swinden, for the 16 years, 1868 to 1884, which 
is 42°7 inches. This closeness of results attests the accuracy of 
Richard Towneley’s observations. Mr. Lancaster also produced 
the reports on the rainfall of this district prepared by Professor 
G. J. Symons, F.R.S., at the request of the Burnley Corporation. 
These reports which are dated Dec. 1882 and February 1883, 
were obtained in order to ascertain the rainfall of the Cant 
Clough Watershed, previous to the construction of the Water 
Works in that valley. The final conclusion at which Mr. Symons 
arrived after noting all available returns, testing the various 
gauges, and examining the localities, was that the ‘true mean 
of rainfall lies between 46 and 48 inches.” Mr. Symons was 
also of opinion that the “‘ mean rainfall for the years 1870—9 
was very nearly identical with that of the previous fifty years, 
certainly within two per cent.” 
The reports contain many interesting and useful statistics, 
and Mr. Lancaster quoted some of them. Referring to Swinden, 
the yearly rainfall shews extreme variations, the year 1879 giving 
but 81-11 in, whilst 1877 shews 58:05 in. The rain-gauge at Clow 
Bridge reservoir gives an average of as high as 52°35 in. for 13 
years, the new station of Robin Hood surpassing this with 538-9 
in., and Extwistle Moor registering 52°6 in. 
EPIGRAMS. 
By T. J. SYCKELMOORE, B.A.. January 27th, 1885. 
The Lecturer commenced by quoting several Epigrammatists’ 
definitions of an Epigram, adopting for the purpose of his lecture 
Ben Jonson’s description, that an Epigram is :— 
‘«‘ Any short poem, chiefly restricted to one idea, and 
equally adapted to the delineation and expression of every 
passion incident to human life.”’ 
