460 Scientific Intelligence. [Dec. 



total this year, 22*76 in. Wet days, 4. Prevailing wind, N. 

 N. 13 ; N.E. 5 ; S.E. 2 ; S. 3 ; S.W. 2; W. 5 ; var. 1 ; brisk 

 winds, 5. 



May commenced with the same wet, cold, aud changeable 

 weather as marked the close of April, and which continued with 

 little variation until the 17th, when the atmosphere became 

 more settled ; and there was a considerable increase both in the 

 pressure and temperature. From this time to June 3, the sky 

 was clear and brilliant, and the changes in the barometer and 

 thermometer very trifling. On the 5th, the maximum of temper- 

 ature indicated 80° ; but in consequence of a heavy storm to the 

 northward of this place, and much vivid lightning in the evening, 

 the heat gradually decreased until the 1 1th, when the thermo- 

 meter rose to 81°. About seven, p.m. another storm passed 

 over to the N.E. ; and the lightning was almost incessant from 

 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (the 12th.) This day the temperature 

 increased to 83°, with heavy thunder clouds in a south direction, 

 which, in the evening, drew off to the westward ; and in this 

 quarter the lightning was observed from nine to half-past eleven, 

 p. m. At midnight, the edge of the storm approached us, with 

 a few loud electrical discharges and a little rain. Showers con- 

 tinued to fall at intervals until the 26th, when the period closed 

 with the same features as the preceding one. 



From July 8 to 14, the temperature kept gradually increasing. 

 On the 15th, the thermometer again rose to 83°, and the follow- 

 ing day to 85°. On the 19th, between one and two, p. m., we 

 had a thunder-storm here, with very heavy rain ; but so local 

 that it did not extend two miles either in an E. N.E. or N. 

 direction, though in the S.S.W". it was tremendous, and did con- 

 siderable damage.* At the commencement of this storm, the 

 thermometer stood at 81° ; but, during its continuance, and for 

 some time afterwards, it was no higher than 60°. The tempera- 

 ture again declined, and the pressure also, until the 23d, on 

 which day the thermometer was at 80°, accompanied with strong 

 gusts of wind : on the following day it rose to 88°, being the 

 greatest degree of heat we have experienced here since July 13, 

 1808 : and at this maximum it remained above three hours. The 

 maximum of the 24th was 83° ; and of the 26th, 81°. The wind 

 on the 27th, having veered to the northward, above half an inch 

 of rain fell (though the barometer kept rapidly rising all the time), 

 and the temperature underwent a material change ; the thermo- 

 meter at two, p.m. being no higher than 58°; thus making a 



* At Westow, a small village to the S.S.W. of this place, the hailstones, several 

 of which measured nearly two inches in circumference, being accompanied with 

 torren's of rain, destroyed two fields of turnips ; the plants and soil to a great 

 depth being completely washed away, and the corn in seveial others laidas flat as 

 though a roller had been passed over it. Two sheep were killed by the lightning, 

 and a number of poultry by the force of the hailstones. A great quantity of hay 

 was taken up by a whirlwind, a short time before thestormccmmenced, and carried 

 a considerable distance. At Langton, another village to the S.E. of Malton, and 

 about two miles eastward of Westow, tlieie was no rain. &c. during the day. 



