108 TRANSACTIONS. 
to the 28th, with the exception of one day, the 11th. From the 
12th onward to the 24th the Nith was in high flood. He had 
marked the 16th November as the day on which the severest storm 
of the year occurred. The months of lowest mean pressure were 
March, July, and November, when the mean ranged from 29°601 
in. in March to 29-722 in. in July. 
Hygrometer.—The mean reading of the dry bulb thermometer 
for the year was 46°; the mean reading of the wet, 43°6°; and the 
temperature of the dew point, 40°8°; relative humidity, 82 (satura- 
tion being equal to a hundred). 
Temperature.—The highest temperature of the year was recorded 
on 26th June, when the maximum reading of the thermometer was 
83°6°, as compared with 87° on 25th June, 1887 ; the lowest, on 
12th February, when the minimum reading was 15:3, giving an. 
annual range of 70°3. The month of lowest temperature was 
February, with a mean of 36°4°; and March stood next, with a 
mean of 37°4°; while January, which is generally and justly 
accounted the coldest month of the year, had a mean of 39°. The 
temperature of January was 1° above average; that of February 
and March nearly 4° below it. There was frost on 83 nights 
during the year, with an aggregate of 293°. In 1887 frost occurred 
on 96 days, with an aggregate of 360 degs. The mean tempera- 
ture for the year was 46°5°, as compared with 47°2° in 1887 and 
46°2° in 1886. The estimated mean annual temperature of the 
south-west of Scotland is 48°, so that the last three years have been 
under average. In 1888 there were only fourteen days on which 
a maximum of 70° and above was reached; and the months in 
which the sun is strongest, and the greatest heat is usually experi- 
enced, were remarkably deficient both in sunshine and warmth. 
The mean temperature of June was more than two degrees below 
average, and that of July 44 degrees. In both months, but particu- 
larly in the latter, there was a prevalence of northerly and easterly 
winds, with cloudy skies and frequent and heavy rainfalls, which 
greatly retarded the progress of vegetation, and contributed to 
make the harvest very late. August was scarcely more favourable, 
the mean temperature having been 24° below average, and the 
number of days on which rain fell, 22. But these months were 
followed by an exceptionally dry, though cold, September and 
October, which permitted the harvest, though very late, to be 
gathered in for the most part in good condition. The temperature 
of November was about 3° above average, and that of December 
