LOCAL FEATURES. 21 



average is 600 inches, of which 500 inches falls in the seven 

 months' monsoon. 



Although the rainfall at Harleston is among the smallest 

 in England, the district is liable to frequent and extensive 

 floods, owing to the slight gradient of the Waveney valley 

 and the numerous obstacles which impede the course of the 

 river. Snow generally covers the country in the early parb 

 of the year, and often in the later months. In the spring 

 the intensely keen north- east wind, blowing from the frozen 

 shores of Scandinavia, lowers the temperature and retards 

 vegetation, the flowering of plants being about three weeks 

 later than in the south of England. * 



The subjoined tables show the monthly rainfall for the last 

 five years, with monthly and yearly averages for ten years, 

 and the number of days in each month on which rain (0 '0 1 inch ) 

 usually falls on both sides of the Waveney valley. An average 

 for the last five years is also given as perhaps the truer esti- 

 mate, because the seasons have been more normal, especially 

 in contrast to the extraordinary humidity of previous summers. 

 The record for June of the present year (1887) is, however, 

 unusually small, after the first two or three days the month 

 being practically rainless ; and the year, as a whole, has been 

 particularly dry. 



Of the two records here tabulated, the northern was kept 

 by the Eev. C. Gape, of Rushall Vicarage, at 117 feet above sea- 

 level ; the southern by the Rev. J. H. White, of Weybread 

 Vicarage, at 152 feet above sea-level. The lower average fall 

 in the southern station is probably due to the fact that it is 

 sheltered by higher ground from the beat of the rain-bearing 



* The following conditions of climate during the years immediately pre- 

 ceding 1883 are worthy of record : 



January, 1879. A severe frost, followed by a rapid thaw, causing an 

 extensive and long-continued flood in the Waveney valley. 



August 2, 1879. A thunderstorm, with immense hailstones, destroying 

 trees, glass, and roads. Rainfall at Eushall, 2 '48 inches ! 



November and December, 1879. Extreme cold, the thermometer on the 

 ground registering 26 of frost on several occasions. 



January 18, 1881. A great gale, and heavy fall of snow to the depth of 

 one foot in the streets, followed by a severe frost. All roads blocked, 

 and a train embedded in a drift at Pulham. 



July 15, 1881. Extreme heat, the thermometer registering 95 in the 

 shade. 



October 10, 1881. A great gale, with heavy rain, destroying trees, &c. 



October, 1882. An unprecedented rainfall of 6| inches for the month. 

 The annual amount was 34 '55 inches (Rushall) ; much above the 

 average. 



