Proceedings. 35 



and December 17th. Tlie longest period without rain in 

 1881 was fifteen days from March 27th to April 10th, and 

 the longest period of continuous rainy days (not of course of 

 continuous rain) was fi-om September 17th to 28th, twelve 

 days. 



The year has been remarkable for heavy gales; that on 

 January 18th, about which some remarks will be offered, and 

 again on October 13th and 14th, and November 26th to 28th. 

 The gale on January 18th fi-om N.E. was remarkable for the 

 heavy fall of snow which accompanied it. The average fall 

 at Eedhill and the neighbourhood was over eight inches, but 

 it di-ifted in many places to as many feet. Usually in this 

 part of the kingdom snow falls at a temperature somewhere 

 about the freezing-point ; when the temperature is above the 

 freezing-point the snow falls in large flakes, and is in its 

 character more dense; when snow falls at a temperature 

 considerably below the fi-eezing-point it has the character of 

 fine dust. This was the case on January 18th ; the tempera- 

 ture was very low, falling to 20° in the night, and never 

 rising above 30°. The cold froze the snow hard, in small 

 grains having about the hardness of sand, but not its density, 

 and the strength of the wind prevented the particles of snow 

 from formmg flakes; the consequence was that the snow 

 readily drifted, lodging in the deep lanes and railway- cuttings, 

 and being piled up in places where it was sheltered from 

 scattering by the wind. The snow found its way under tiles 

 and slates, in at the sides of windows, doors and keyholes, 

 and through inconceivably small crevices where the wind blew 

 it. It is remarkable that this snow-storm was heavier in the 

 south of England than in the midland and northern counties ; 

 and in the Isle of Wight, where snow rarely lies for twenty- 

 four hours, it was perhaps heavier than in any other point. 

 The gale of October 13th and 14th was fi-om the S.W. I have 

 already referred to the difference in character between the 

 S.W. and N.E. winds. The heavy gales from S.W. are ac- 

 companied by high temperature in the autumn. The most 

 disastrous effects of this gale were felt on the eastern coast." 



