REPORTS BY THE HONORARY OFFICIALS, 63 
less than the mean, the defect being greatest at Aberdeen, which 
had only one-third of the average. 
March 1896.—Very unsettled weather prevailed throughout the 
greater part of the month, falls of rain, sleet, or snow being of 
frequent occurrence. The temperature was high, a result of the 
predominance of winds from the west and south-west. Rainfall 
was much in excess of the average at places on the west coast 
open to the prevailing winds, but in the north-eastern counties 
there was a marked deficit. Bright sunshine was slightly below 
the normal, the maximum amount being recorded in Aberdeenshire. 
April 1896.—Changeable showery weather characterised the 
first half of the month, during which time showers of snow, 
sleet, and hail were of frequent occurrence, whilst thunderstorms 
were often observed. The mean temperature was 3° above the 
average, the excess being greatest at places in the east, situated 
some little distance from the sea. Rainfall exceeded the average 
in the west and north, but was below the normal in the east. 
Sunshine was fairly abundant, except in the northern districts. 
May 1896.—The weather of May was exceedingly dry and 
warm, a severe drought being experienced over nearly the whole 
country, while abnormally high temperatures were of common 
occurrence. The mean temperature was 4° above the average, 
the greatest excess being 6° at Ochtertyre, and the least, 2°:5, in 
the Shetland Isles. Rainfall was less than half the normal, 
taking the country as a whole, while in many places the down- 
fall amounted to only one-quarter of the average. There was a 
slight excess in the north of Sutherland and in Orkney and 
Caithness. Bright sunshine was very abundant. 
June 1896.—The weather of June was characterised by great 
variability, being on the whole changeable, with an excess of 
rainfall, a deficiency of sunshine, and, rather curiously, a high 
temperature. The mean rainfall exceeded the normal by 37 per 
cent., and, as frequently happens, was distributed over the 
country in a capricious manner. The temperature was 3° above 
the normal in the south-western districts, but cool weather pre- 
vailed in the north. Bright sunshine was below the average. 
July 1896.—The weather during this month was in an 
unsettled state generally, and particularly so from the 25th to 
the 27th, when gales were experienced. Fine and warm con- 
ditions prevailed about the middle of the month. The temper- 
ature was above the mean at stations on the east coast, but in 
