RETURNS OP RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 203 



The gauges of Messrs. Andrews and Pix at Swanage continue to 

 agree to within -Olin. as iu 1892, that of the former being still that 

 small amount ahead of the latter, 



N'o. OP Wet Days. The greatest number of days with a fall 

 of -Olin. or more recorded was 164 at Gillingham, other high 

 records being Eeaminster, 163; Cheddington, 162; Cattistock, 

 161. The lowest are Smedmore, 69 ; Creech Grange, 95 ; 

 Melbury, 108; IIamworthy, 111 ; Bloxworth, 113. Strange 

 to say at Swanage Mr. Pix records 139 against 122 only from 

 Mr. Andrews in spite of the agreement of the annual totals of 

 the gauges. "Wyke Eegis receives more rain than "Weymouth, 

 but it falls in 132 days instead of 142. 



Wettest Month, Towards the N.E. of the County the 

 wettest month was as a rule February, the next July, with October 

 closely following ; but in other parts there seems to have been 

 less rain in February, making July generally the wettest and 

 October next. The full record is. Wettest month, July at 19 

 stations; February at 13 ; October at 4, Second Wettest Month, 

 October at 18 stations ; July at 7 ; February at 6 ; and December 

 at 4. 



Highest Monthly Records. — The two highest records are, 

 as might have been expected, at Hazelbury Bryan; T'lSin. for 

 February and 6-65 for December. April was the driest month 

 except at two stations (August at Smedmore and ^March at 

 Portland), and the amount recorded for April was nil at Holwell 

 and did not exceed -lOin. at 15 others. March and May were also 

 very dry and also August, especially on the South Coast stations 

 (under lin. at 15 stations). 



Heavy Rainfalls. — July. The most general fall of over 

 lin. which has occurred this year, is recorded for July 15th, but 

 took place probably at most stations on July 16tli and is by some 

 observers recorded for that date. As the same fall is doul>tlo.ss 

 referred to, I will make but one tal)le to .show the distribution, 

 giving the station and the fall iu 24 hours in inches. 



