54 Transactions. 
there a slight covering on the lower grounds, though on several 
occasions in January and March and in the end of October and 
November snow fell on the hills. In other parts of the country, 
however, and particularly in the northern and eastern districts 
and over England, snowstorms of considerable severity were 
experienced, both in March and April and in November and 
December. 
Hygrometer.—The mean of the dry bulb thermometer for the 
year was 46:9 degs. ; mean wet, 44-7 degs.; dew point, 42°3 degs. ; 
relative humidity (saturation = 100), 84. The thermometer read- 
ings are a fraction lower than in 1889, and the difference 2-2 
degs. instead of 2°4 degs. The relative humidity is 2 per cent. 
greater—84 instead of 82. 
There were no very severe thunderstorms in 1890, but thunder 
was heard, accompanied with lightning in most instances, but not 
in all, on the following dates :—January 5th and 18th, May 6th 
~ and 18th, June 27th and 29th (thunder only), July 2d (thunder 
only), 4th and 15th (thunder with lightning), August 29th, 
September 20th, and November 10th (thunder with lightning). 
Wind.—The prevailing directions of the wind during the year 
were as follows :—-From an easterly direction, including E., N.E., 
and 8.E., it blew 96 times; from a westerly direction, including 
W., S.W., and N.W., it blew 208 times ; from due N., 22 times ; 
from due 8., 24 times ; and calm or variable, 15 times. 
If. The Remnants of an Ancient Language. 
By Mr Parrick Dupeeon. 
O.N., Old Norse; A.S., Anglo-Saxon; O.Sw., Old Swedish ; 
Yk., Yorkshire; Sc., Scotch; Fr., French. There is much 
interest in following up to its source a language now only existing 
in a very mutilated state, but which was at one time current 
over a considerable portion of England and part of Scotland. 
The few notes now presented refer to our “ Scottish vernacular,” 
and its close connection to the dialect spoken over a great part of 
Yorkshire. The term dialect must be used with some reservation 
in speaking of the “ Folk speech” of Yorkshire and the south of 
Scotland, for it is really the remains of the language of the 
ancient Northumbrian kingdom. Though now almost expiring, 
and being every day less and less used even by the country 
