6 Proceedings. 



Sun-rises and sun-sets of unusual grandeur occurred. On 

 November 25tli to 29th (sun-sets), December 4tb and 5tli 

 (sun-rises), and December 23rd (sun-set). 



These glows have been attributed to the presence of volcanic 

 dust in the atmosphere. 



Fog prevailed from December 24th to 29 th ; it was not 

 very dense. 



The reading of these notes was followed by a discussion, 

 in which Lieut.-Col. H. H. Godwin-Austen, F.E.S., referred 

 to the rainfall at Cherrapoonjee, in Assam, where the moun- 

 tains rise suddenly to an elevation of 4000 ft. from marshes 

 scarcely raised above the sea-level. The mean rainfall of five 

 years measured 495 in., and fell between May and November, 

 31 inches once falling in one day. The consequence is 

 that the soil is washed away down to horizontal strata of 

 hard sandstone rock. The finest waterfalls in the world, 

 2000 ft. in height, leap from the rocks into the fertile valleys. 

 The drainage is very rapid. It is considered to be the greatest 

 rainfall in the world. Forty miles further inland the rainfall 

 is only about 150 in. in a year. 



Mr. Carey remarked on the green colour of the moon at 

 the time of the recent brilliant sunsets. 



Dr. Bossey spoke of the effect of gases projected with 

 enormous force to very great heights, mingling with spherical 

 particles of water causing prismatic action. He attributes 

 the mildness of the present winter to the unusual quantity of 

 vaporous particles in the atmosphere. 



Mr. T. P. Newman attributed the rosy sunsets seen in 

 London to the dust in the air, which acts as globules of 

 moisture do. He stated that snow has fallen in Spain 

 containing volcanic dust similar to that of Mount Cracata, 

 in Java. Mr. Newman said that last year's rainfall measured 

 by him at Eeigate was 31-90 in. He considers the Eeigate 

 Hills accountable for the quantity at Eeigate being greater 

 than at Eedhill. 



Mr. Gilbert exhibited a Camberwell Beauty Butterfly, caught 

 by him on Copthorne Common on August 24th, 1872. 



