TRANSACTIONS. 



REPORT OX TEMPERATURE OF THE RIVER STOUR, 

 AT CANTERBURY, 



BY 



A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE EAST KENT XATURA.L HISTORY 

 SOCIETY, APPOINTED FOR THE PURPOSE. 



December 13, 1888, to December 31, 1889. 



With the \iew of giviug eifect to the intentions of the Committee of 

 the British Association appointed to arrange an investigation of the 

 seasonal variations of temperature in Likes, rivers, &c., in various parts of 

 the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the Societies sending delegates 

 to the the above Association, the Committee of the East Kent Natural 

 History Society, wrote for and procured a copy of ' Directions to 

 Observers," together with a Thermometer and Observation Book, from 

 John Gunn, Esq., F.R.S., G.S., Edinburgh, and appointed a Sub- 

 Comn)ittee to carry out the instructions contained in the Secretary's 

 letter of November, 1888. They were fortunate in securing the willing 

 services of an associate of their Society, Mr. Henry Dean, of 35, St. 

 Peter's Street, Canterbury, by whom the observations now to be reported 

 on were made. 



The observations commenced on the 13th December, 1888, and have 

 been continued day by day throughout the year, 1889. 



The river in which the observations are taken forms the western 

 branch of the river Stour, which flows through Canterbury and empties 

 itself into the .sea at Pegwell Bay, near Sandwich, about 15 miles distant. 

 The depth of water is about two feet in the ordinary state of the river, 

 increasing to three feet or more when the river is in flood. The du-ection 

 of the stream is from S.W. to N.E. The banks are low and shaded with 

 trees. 



In accordance with the dii'ections received from the Secretaiy of the 

 Committee, the observations were taken at 9 a.m. regularly day by day, 

 always at the same place, and within five minutes Avalk from Mr. H. 

 Dean's house. Remarks on " State of River and Weather," are entered 

 in the Observing Book at the same time. The following arc some of the 

 results noted : — 



In December, as a general rule, the temperature of the water is 

 higher than that of the air, but there are exceptions, e.g., on the 19th 



