64 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
other districts there was a small deficit. The mean rainfall was 
in excess of the average, but was rather under it in the northern 
counties generally. Sunshine was deficient in all the districts. 
August 1896 was characterised by dry, cool, and sunless 
weather. The mean temperature was a degree and a haif under 
the average, the deficiency being greatest in the northern and 
least in the western districts. The unequal distribution of the 
rainfall over the country was a striking feature, Stornoway and 
Scourie having double the average precipitation, while only one- 
third of the normal quantity fell to the south-east of the 
Cheviots. 
September 1896.—The mean temperature this month was 
slightly under the average, the rainfall nearly 33 per cent. above 
the average, and the sunshine deficient to an unwonted extent. 
The temperature was slightly below the average at eastern, but 
above the normal at western stations. The mean rainfall was 
nearly 40 per cent. above the average, the greatest excess being 
on the east coast of Scotland. 
The year ending September 1896.—The year under review 
was characterised by a temperature about 1° above the 
normal, by a rainfall just the average, but falling on thirteen 
days more than the average, and by a great deficiency of sunshine, 
equivalent to 23 per cent. of the average. The first half of 1896 
was exceptionally warm and dry, although bright sunshine was 
less than the mean in most districts, owing to the prevalence of 
polar winds. The summer of 1896 was cool and wet, with little 
sunshine, although August was decidcdly better than for many 
years past. 
