494 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 



BLACK SPRING, 1771. 



DR. JOHNSON says, that "in 1771 the season was so 

 severe in the island of Sky, that it is remembered by 

 the name of the Black Spring. The snow, which seldom 

 lies at all, covered the ground for eight weeks, many 

 cattle died, and those that survived were so emaciated 

 that they did not require the male at the usual season." 

 The case was just the same with us here in the south ; 

 never were so many barren cows known as in the spring 

 following that dreadful period. Whole dairies missed 

 being in calf together. 



At the end of March the face of the earth was naked 

 to a surprising degree. Wheat hardly to be seen, and 

 no signs of any grass; turnips all gone, and sheep in a 

 starving way. All provisions rising in price. Farmers 

 cannot sow for want of rain. 



