62 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
frequent. The mean temperature was above the average over the 
southern counties, and also in the Hebrides; but a deficit was 
recorded in the vicinity of the Caledonian Canal, and at some 
places situated on the coast from Dunrobin to Banff. The rain- 
fall was 15 per cent. below the normal, the deficiency being 
greatest to the north of the Grampians, especially at those 
places to the westward. On the other hand, the precipitation 
exceeded the average by 50 per cent, at places on the east coast, 
as well as in one or two widely scattered districts. Bright 
sunshine was in excess of the average at northern and western 
stations. 
December 1895.—The weather of December was extremely 
unsettled. Gales were frequent, and were accompanied in many 
cases by snow and hail showers ; while thunderstorms were a very 
usual concomitant, especially on the western seaboard. The 
temperature was just the average, there being a slight defect at 
some south-western stations, but over the greater part of the 
country the values were quite normal. The rainfall was above 
the average over the eastern districts, the excess being most 
marked in the counties of Aberdeen and Banff. Over the west of 
Scotland, on the other hand, there was a considerable deficiency, 
which was most noticeable in Sutherland. Sunshine was scanty, 
few places having more than 10 per cent. of the possible duration. 
January 1896 was characterised by a temperature nearly 3° 
above the average, the mild weather being accompanied by a 
remarkably high barometer, which in some places reached the 
phenomenal elevation of 31:10 inches on the 9th of the month. 
Rainfall was very deficient, save in the counties of Ross, Suther- 
land, and Caithness, where it exceeded the average by from 40 to 
50 per cent. The smallest rainfall was recorded at stations to the 
south of the Moray Firth. Slight falls of snow were experienced 
between the 21st and 23rd, which soon melted. Sunshine was 
very prevalent in the north-east, Aberdeen being the sunniest 
station in the British Isles. 
February 1896 was dry and mild, in marked contrast to the 
corresponding month of 1895. The mean temperature was 3° 
above the average, the excess being much the same over the 
greater portion of Scotland. The mean rainfall, taking the 
country as a whole, was two-thirds of the normal, but was above 
the average in the north-west, the wettest station being Fort- 
William, with over 8 inches, Bright sunshine was considerably 
