REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS, 187 
There was an excess at Stornoway and at a few other stations in 
the far north. Bright sunshine amounted to but two-thirds of 
the normal, the deficit being most marked in the vicinity of 
Edinburgh, where less than 10 per cent. of the possible was 
recorded. 
December 1896.—The characteristic features of the weather of 
December were a great amount of rain, little sunshine, and a 
large number of thunderstorms. The mean temperature was just 
the average over very wide districts, but there was a decided 
depression in Galloway, amounting to nearly 2°,  Rain- 
fall was in excess of the average in all districts excepting the 
Shetlands and Skye, where but half the normal downfall was 
recorded. Oa the other hand, it was more than double the mean 
in the Tweed valley, and in parts of Perthshire and Berwick. 
Bright sunshine was barely half the average, but there was a 
slight excess in the valley of the Caledonian Canal. 
January 1897.—During the first week rather mild weather 
was experienced, with heavy rain in many places, but there- 
after very cold conditions predominated, with frequent snow 
showers. The mean temperature was 3° below the average over 
nearly the whole country. Rainfall was less than half the 
normal, the deficit being considerable except at a few widely 
separated stations in the north and east. At some places in 
Aberdeenshire double the average fell. Bright sunshine was in 
excess in the west and north, but dull weather was experienced 
in the east. 
February 1897.—The weather of February was very variable, 
with considerable falls of snow, and very low temperatures during 
the first week. After the 4th milder conditions set in, and the 
mean temperature of the month rose 1° above the average, taking 
the country as a whole, but as much as 3° at some south-western 
stations. Towards the close of the month very mild weather set 
in, the thermometer on the 22nd exceeding 60° at some places in 
Aberdeenshire. Rainfall was slightly under the average, the 
deficit being most apparent at places on the east coast, where only 
a quarter of the normal downfall was recorded. Sunshine was 
very deficient in the west and south, but there was a slight excess 
at Aberdeen. 
March 1897.—Very unsettled weather prevailed during nearly 
the whole month, with frequent falls of snow, sleet, and rain, and 
several heavy gales. The mean temperature approximated to the 
