144 RAINFALL IN DORSET. 



Very few thunderstorms occurred during the year, or any heavy 

 rain during the first nine months, but upwards of i in. was 

 registered on 12th April at one station, and on April 20th at three 

 stations, also on 17th August at five stations. 



The heaviest rainfall recorded on one day was that on i6th 

 October, which happened at East Lulworth, the amount being 

 170 in. 



At four stations it will be observed that no fall of i in. occurred 

 on any day during the year. 



The following tables contain returns from 56 stations. Thanks 

 to the courtesy of Dr. refill, the Editor of " British Rainfall," five 

 new stations have been added to the number. They are situated 

 at St. Giles, Wimborne (Stoneham), Broadstone, Bourne Valley, 

 and Weymouth (Greenhill). 



Full returns for the year appear also for the first time from 

 Chardstock Vicarage, Leigh Vicarage, and Evershot ; and partial 

 returns from Warmwell House and Milton Abbey ; but the follow- 

 ing have dropped out, viz., Winterbourne Houghton, Stoborough, 

 Worth Matravers, Portland Bill, Melbur)' Bubb, and Chetnole. 



Thanks are given to all who kindly send returns to be included 

 in this work. At the same time it is as well to point out that great 

 care is necessary in keeping the daily record, especially in the 

 necessity of an almost daily inspection of the gauge. In Table II. 

 it will be noticed that some observers record from 30 to 40 days 

 on which only 'oi in. fell, whereas others have recorded less than 

 ten such days. The probability is that if these people had more 

 often examined their gauges they would ha^•e found that a small 

 amount of rain had fallen, although they had not been aware of it. 



In connection with this subject it may be as well to quote here 

 the rule issued by the British Rainfall Organisation with regard 

 to " Small Amounts." It is as follows : — " If the gauge contains 

 less than one-hundredth ("oi) of an inch, but more than half that 

 amount, it should be entered as 'oi, while if there is less than 

 half that amount the few drops may be thrown away, and the day 

 entered as if no rain had fallen." Some observers mark such 

 days with an asterisk (*). 



