Mr R. BuUen's I^ejyort on Tcm/perature ami Vegetation. 233 



the lowest readings being 32° on the 1st, 17th, and 23rd, 

 and 30° on the 22nd and 28th. The highest readings 

 were 48° on the 13th, and 50° on the 14th, Dull, showery, 

 and often stormy weather prevailed during the first half 

 of the month, accompanied by an occasional heavy 

 downfall of rain and hail. Since the 19th the weather 

 has been generally fine •, vegetation is in a dormant state, 

 and in striking contrast from the same month last year, 

 when so many hardy plants were blooming prematurely. 



January 1885. — Frost was registered on nineteen 

 mornings during the month, the lowest reading being 

 20°, or 12° of frost, during the night of the 21st. Total 

 of the nineteen readings, 95°. Although the total record 

 of frost is nearly the same as last month, the low 

 temperature at night was continuous from the 11th to 

 the 25th, and being assisted by the cold dry weather 

 which prevailed at the time made its effects felt to a 

 much greater degree. The highest day temperature was 

 47° on the 5th, the lowest 31° on the 23rd, but on several 

 other days the thermometer was at, or very little above, 

 freezing-point. The frequent frosts have had the effect 

 of keeping vegetation in check. The rainfall has been 

 light, and weather all that could be desired for tlie season. 



February. — The thermometer during February has 

 been at or below the freezing-point fifteen times during the 

 month, the lowest reading being 22° during the night of 

 the 18th. Total frost, 73°. The highest day temperature 

 was 53° on the 27th ; the lowest 34°, on the 20th. Sharp 

 frosty nights were continuous from the loth to the 2ist, 

 both inclusive, after which mild weather prevailed until 

 the night of the 28th, when 24°, or 8° of frost, were regis- 

 tered. The frosty nights were succeeded by fine days, 

 but the snow which fell during the night of the 17th gave 

 the country a wintry look. A severe gale of wind was 

 experienced during the night of the 21st, but no serious 

 damage resulted. Although showers were frequent during 

 the early and latter part of the month, the rainfall was 

 not heavy. Vegetation is still dormant, the only plants 

 in bloom in the open ground being Daphne Mezereum and 

 D. m. alhum, Crocus vernus and hijlorus, and Petasites 

 vulgaris and lohata. 



