223 



tracted a period of wet and cold. The rainfall was only MUin.— 

 neariy two inches less than the average for the month, and the 

 smallest rainfall for October that had occurred since the commence- 

 ment of the Institution Registers in 1865. Northerly winds pre- 

 vailed ; and the days on which any rain fell did not exceed twelve. 

 The mean temperature was slightly above the average, and there 

 was only one night on which the thermometer fell to freezing 

 point. Fine settled weather occurred during the first half of the 

 month and the last week, proving favourable for farmers v/ho had 

 not got in all their harvest, as also favourable for preparing the 

 land for next year's crops. Some days were very mild, though 

 fog and haze were prevalent. 



It was stated above, that one notable feature in the winter and 

 spring months, during the cold period, was the greater depression of 

 the daily maxima below the average than the depression of the 

 daily minima below the average. The same circumstance was 

 observable in the three summer months of June, July, and 

 August. 



In June, the mean of the daily maxima was 4°. 5 heloiv the 

 average, the mean of the daily minima being the same as the 

 average. 



In July, the mean of the daily maxima was no less than 6°. 4 

 below the average, while the mean of the daily minima was only 

 O**.? below the average. 



In August, the mean of the daily maxima was 3°. 3 below the 

 average, the mean of the daily minima being nearly half a degree 

 above the average. 



And it is worth remark that this condition of temperature, 

 which had prevailed over ten months, was not changed till 

 September, in which month the ratio was reversed ; the mean 

 maximum being 2°.5 above the average, while the mean minimum 

 was 1° below the average. 



This circumstance seems to have marked the conclusion of what 

 may be especially called the cold period, commencing Avith 



