I 



NOTES AND RBMABKS UPON THE WEATHER. 191 



remained over 30" 00 for a week, dropping a few points on the 

 three last days of the month. 



Rain fell on 16 days, the total amoimt registered being 3'94 

 inches, which is slightly above the average for March. There 

 was an abnormal amount registered on the morning of the I7th, 

 when the gauge showed 1"05 inches. 



The amount of frost registered was only 15°, occurring on 5 

 days. In March, 1906, there was a total of 60°, occurring on 

 10 days. Owing to the absence of severe frosts, the average 

 temperatures — maximum, 49°, and minimum, 37° — were in each 

 case 4° higher than those for the previous March. 



With the freedom from hard frosts and openness of the weather, 

 combined with the lengthening days and growing power of the 

 sun, vegetation rapidly showed signs of awakening. By the 10th 

 the Snowdrops, which had bloomed well, began to pass, to be 

 succeeded by Crocuses and other spring flowers. During the 

 third week the Crocuses were in their glory, wliile Daffodils were 

 showing colour in their buds, and before the close of the month 

 the Common Daffodil (Narcissus pseudo-narcissus) was in full 

 bloom. In the last week Dog-tooth Violets, Squills, and Hepaticas 

 were also in flower. Amongst tree® the advance was equally 

 great. Elms showing the rosy red of their buds more brilliantly 

 than usual. Catkins on Willows, Hazels, and Alders were also 

 striking; and the buds on Thoras, Lilacs, Roses, and many other 

 shrubs showing green too freely for the period of the year. 

 Daphne Mezereum was beautifully in bloom, along with Rhodo- 

 dendron Nohleomtm in sheltered places. Grass lands were also 

 very fresh and bright. 



April. — The fine weather which prevailed during the latter 

 part of March continued for a time. A slight thunderstorm 

 occurred on the 2nd, and there was a heavy fall of rain during 

 the evening of the 3rd. Thereafter, though fin© on the whole, 

 the weather became colder, with a tendency to frost in the 

 mornings. On the 10th another thunderstorm, accompanied by 

 heavy rain, was experienced, the afternoon being very wet. 

 With easterly winds, the weathei- kept dry and cold until the 

 20th, when, with a change of the wind to the S.W., rain fell. 

 The weather thereafter, though somewhat changeable for several 

 days, was fine, on the whole, until the end of the month. 



