206 TRANSACTIONS. 
It is worthy of note that last year also February and September 
were the driest months. There was a period of drought extending 
from 15th of June to the 6th of July, in which no rain fell, and 
which was characterised throughout by warm and sunny days and 
mild nights. The mean of the day temperature during this period 
was 73°9 deg., and of the night temperature fully 49 deg. The 
total number of days on which rain or snow fell during the year 
was 202, as compared with 195 in 1888, and 181 in 1887. The 
total rainfall for the year was 35°17 in., as compared with 35°91 in 
1888, 30:99 in 1887, and 41:13 in 1886. This gives a mean for 
the four years in which observations have been taken at Dumfries 
of 35°80 in. 
Hygrometer.—The mean reading of the dry bulb thermometer 
for the year was 47°5 deg., and of the wet bulb 45:1 deg. The differ- 
ence (274 deg.) is exactly the same as last year, but the tempera- 
tures of this year are higher by 1°5 deg., a difference very nearly 
corresponding with the increase in the mean temperature of the 
year—from 46:5 deg. to 48-1 deg. Temperature of the dew point, 
42-4 deg. Relative humidity (saturation being equal to 100) 82. 
Thunderstorms.—There were eight days on which thunder 
and lightning were observed, viz., the 5th and 7th of May, the 2d 
and 6th of June, the 15th, 16th, and 23d of July, and the 8th of 
October. Of these the storms of 7th May, 2d and 6th June, 16th 
July, and 8th October were most severe. The others were either 
somewhat distant or of short continuance, but they were almost 
invariably accompanied by hail showers. Once, on 16th May, at 
9 a.M., I observed a very large solar halo; and on several occa- 
sions lunar halos were observed, which, though not invariably, 
were for the most part precursors of the approach of a cyclone, 
especially if accompanied by a backing wind and a falling baro- 
meter. 
Wind.—It may be interesting to note the prevailing direc- 
tions of the wind during the year. From an easterly direction, 
including E., N.E., and §.E., it blew 228 times (observations being 
taken twice every day, morning and evening) ; and from a westerly 
direction, including W., N.W., and 8. W., 408 times ; from due N., 
23 times; due S., 42 times; the remainder, numbering 29, being 
either calm or variable. The most prevalent wind is 8.W., which 
during the past year blew on 108 days out of the 365. It is to 
the prevalence of this wind in November, December, and January 
that the mildness of our winters is chiefly due. 
