RAY AND PAL^XTOGEAPmCAL SOCIETIES. 73 



individually. Everj-one wotild find something to interest him in one or 

 other of the Societies, and his influence, when once secured, would again 

 influence others. Some of the earlier Monographs are out of print, and 

 already fetch high prices in the second-hand booksellers' catalogues, and, 

 therefore, upon the mere ground of " an investment " subscribers may 

 rely that they will get their "money's worth." The number of sub- 

 scribers within the area of our Union, a radius of eighty miles, is not 

 more than thirty or forty to both Societies together; a very small 

 number indeed, when we consider its wealth and the number of those 

 who take an interest in Natural History. The subscriptions were due 

 on Ist January last for the current year, bo that each member now 

 subscribing will be entitled to the forthcoming volume. Specimens of 

 the recently published works may be seen at my office, 23, Union 

 Street, Birmingham, where I shall be glad to receive the subscriptions 

 of intending subscribers. The Rev. Thomas "Wiltshire, M.A., F.G.S., 

 25, Granville Park, Lewisham, S.E., is the able Secretary to both 

 Societies ; and he will, I am quite sure, with his usual courtesy, give any 

 further information that mav be desired. 



THE WEATHER OF JANUARY, 1878. 



BY W. J. HABRISON, F.G.S. 



In the following colunans we have the pleasure of presenting to our 

 readers by far the most complete monthly return of the Temperature and 

 Rainfall of the Midland Counties which has ever appeared in any pubh- 

 cation. It embraces returns from about seventy stations, including three 

 distant points — Carlisle, Yentnor, and Altamun Vicarage, Cornwall — 

 the returns from which will be useful and interesting for comparison with 

 our own central stations. Many deficiencies, however, remain to be 

 snpphed, and we shall be pleased to give information as to descrip- 

 tion and cost of meteorological instruments. 



The influence of the weather upon animal and plant life is a 

 branch of the subject to which we would direct special attention, and 

 we trust to receive many notes for February as to the time of opening of 

 our ordinary spring flowers — Snowdrops, Primroses, the Speedwell, 

 Hazel, Pilewort, (Ranunculus ficaria,j Dog's Mercury, and Coltsfoot for 

 example. In this matter our readers generally could render important 

 help. 



Reverting to the weather of the first month of 1878, the figures we 

 print below show unanimously that while the rainfall was below the 

 average, the temperature, especially for the first three weeks, was 

 decidedly above it. The maximum rainfall at nearly all stations was on 

 the 27th, but only at Buxton (1-36 ins.) did it exceed one inch in depth. 

 There are one or two returns in which a heavy fall is entered on the 

 28th, but this we suspect is caused by entering the rainfall to the day on 

 which it was measured. The rain-gauge should be emptied daily at nine 

 A.M., and the amount entered to the preceding day. The temperature 

 desired is that in the shade at 4ft. above ground, (thermometers in a 

 Stevenson's stand if possible.) If instruments are placed otherwise it 

 should be noted on the form. We shall be pleased to forward forms for 

 the purpose of recording observations to all who will help in the work of 

 making this record of the weather of the Midlands as complete as 

 possible, and all forms should be filled up and sent within the first week 

 of the ensuing month to Mr. W. J. Harrison, Town Museum, Leicester. 



H 



