: 
4 
. 
Meteorological Committee for 1903. 51 
These two tables present some curious anomalies, but yet there 
is a certain agreement. The most curious feature is the month 
of June. Though this month was extremely wet, yet at Walling- 
ton the number of rainy days was only two in excess, and at 
Greenwich even one below the average. The number of rainy 
days in October is at both places very much above the average. 
December was much below the average at both places. 
Through the courtesy of Mr. Baldwin Latham, I have this 
year been furnished with the following figures for 1903. The 
actual number of hours during which rain fell during the year 
was 756°7 hours, which gives the actual number of days of 
twenty-four hours each as 31°5 days, and the actual annual rate 
of fall as ‘0512 in. per hour. The greatest rate of fall occurred 
in July, which has -0805 in. per hour; May had the next, 
namely, ‘0728 in. per hour; and June had the third, namely, 
‘0603 in. per hour; whilst April had the lowest rate of fall, 
namely, ‘0280 in. per hour. In November the bourne broke out 
at Marlpit Lane, Carshalton, and Ewell. 
It is out of place for this Committee to deal with the effects of 
this great rainfall on human life and on vegetation, but I think 
that perhaps a few words as to its effects on human life would 
not be considered out of place. The year has undoubtedly been 
a healthy one, so far as human life is concerned. The death-rate 
has been low, and diphtheria, enteric and other fevers have not, 
as a whole, been prevalent. There is no doubt that the cleansing 
the soil by the rainfall has greatly contributed to this immunity. 
Our holidays have been spoilt, but we have had great compensa- 
tions in other ways. With respect to the influence of the rainfall 
on vegetation, this can better be dealt with by the Botanical 
Committee. 
In conclusion, the Committee desire to thank those, fifteen in 
number, who have given donations in aid of this rainfall work, 
which evidently supplies a want which has been felt for some 
time. 
Tue County Hatt, Kineston, Surrey. 
Observer—E. Unperwoop. Gauge 5 in. in diameter. 
Height of gauge above ground, 9 in. 
Height of station above sea- level, 31 ft. 
Time of observation, 7.30 a.m. 
Jan. | Feb. ‘de | Apr. ! May if ea Taly | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov.| Dec. | Year. 
IN. | IN. ! IN. | IN. | IN. | IN. | IN. | IN. | IN. |] IN. | IN, 
241 | | 112 12 | 2°57 | 1:69 | 2-07 | 6°37 | 4°48 | 4:30 | 3-21 | 5-02 | 2-04 | 1:51 | 36-82 
