92 METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. 



To review more closely: The depression coming up on the 3rd 

 and 1th, with light southerly winds, veering south-westerly, brought the 

 maximum temperature at most of our Midland stations, and also on the 

 N.-W. coast; and the Bucoeeding orest passed with north-westerly airs on 

 the night <>f the 6th. A new cyclonic disturbance immediately followed, 

 with S. 1.. (veering W.) gales; a remarkable fall of the barometer set in, 

 with heavy snow and rain, and pressure in North Staffordshire decreased 

 1*037 within the 36 hours ended 9 a.m., 8th. At this time the central 

 area was crossiug to eastward, accompanied by heavy west gales, and 

 continued downpour — hail, rain, and snow — with thunder and lightning 

 occurring at Stroud. A rise to a well-marked, sharp summit in a.m. 

 of the 9th followed ; and forthwith, very suddenly, another cyclonic 

 area approached and passed like its predecessor to northward, with the 

 usual veering of the wind, bringing a whole gale from westward in the 

 forenoon of the loth, another torrent of rain, — and hail, thunder and 

 lightning in Northamptonshire. With an unusual rise of 1-235 inch in 36 

 hours (as recorded at Farley) this last depression cleared off; a gentle 

 fall succeeded, witli snow, and a somewhat shallow disturbance crossed 

 on the 14th, with more rain. Especially dull and foggy conditions ruled 

 the third week, followed by heavy snow on the 21st and 22nd ; slight 

 snow showers occurred during the last few days ; while covering the 

 whole of this second period pressure held comparatively steady with 

 the anti-cyclonic type more or less shewing up to northward ; hence 

 the atmosphere was not then subject to such spasmodic changes, and 

 we experienced, generally, calms and light variables. Temperature 

 was very unsteady, and below the average. Spells of frosty weather 

 occurred about 2nd, 7th, 12th, 13th, and from 19th to end : the periods 

 of maximum were well marked on the 3rd, 1th, 10th, and 17th. The 

 entire month was singularly dull and cloudy, Mr. Mellish reporting 

 from Nottinghamshire but a total duration of sunshine of 37 hours, or an 

 average of 1*3 hour per day. The rainfall was largely in excess, and the 

 cyclonic storms, before referred to, caused serious floods in the basins 

 of t lie Trent and Severn. Ozone largely present, as appears usual at the 

 advent of Spring : — maximum registrations taking place at Farley on 7th, 

 loth, 13th, and 19th, and only on three days did the test papers fail to 

 respond ; at Carmarthen the mean amount was 5"0. A rather brilliant 

 aurora was seen at Chelteuham on the 6th, and a red one at Burton en 

 the 19th. On the former day a great spot centoe, with umbra very 

 black, was coming up, in perspective, on the sun's east limb, and 

 during the third week some fine spot detail was to be observed — the 

 coincidence is at least interesting. 



Corrrsponbcncf. 



APPROXIMATE PHENOLOGICAL DATES. 



As a guide to observers the Metoorological Sooiety has drawn up 

 tho following table, giving approximately the times of appearance of 

 plants, insects, and birds. In the case "of plants, those persons who 

 cannot observe the whole number are requested to pay especial 

 attention to those of which the names are printed in capitals. 

 fcfollj requested to comply with the rules laid 

 down in Messrs. Grovo and Bagnall's paper at page 15 of the present 



