FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 209 



PuLHAM (J. R.). — On the whole a very wet year, but some 

 intervals of drought. From Sept. 1st to 28th practically no 

 rain — only slight drizzle on two or three days. 



Thunder, March 5th ; on 8th, heavy peal ; May 12th, 

 June 19th, 30th, a little ; June 12th, very violent for 1| hours, 

 no rain ; July 4th, heavy ; 5th and Aug. 10th and 20th, 

 slight ; Oct. 25th, a little. On Dec. 26th a furious gale, very 

 heavy rains, few peals of thunder. 



Snow, Jan. 12th, heavy, quite six inches deep. Some very 

 sharp frosts. 



Since the dry summer of 1911 squirrels have disappeared. 

 They used to come to be fed at my windows. In adjoining 

 districts, also, they have almost, or quite, disappeared. It 

 would be interesting to know the cause. Was it want of 

 water or disease ? 



On last day of 1912 (and for many weeks previously) we 

 could gather bunches of primroses. At end of year also there 

 were white violets in bloom, and many lesser celandine. I 

 never saw such a profusion of apple blossom and hawthorn 

 blossom as in 1912. Leaves were lost in bloom. 



Barometer reading : average for each month and for the year : 

 —January, 29-295 ; highest, 30-2 ; lowest, 28-825. February, 

 29-285 ; highest, 29-82 ; lowest, 28-59. March, 29-431 ; 

 highest, 300 ; lowest, 28-45. April, 29-89 ; highest, 30-15 ; 

 lowest, 29-46. May, 29-63; highest, 30-02; lowest, 29-12. 

 June, 29-53; highest, 2984 ; lowest, 29-12. July, 29-62 ; 

 highest, 29-87 ; lowest, 29-31. August, 29-451 ; highest, 29-85 ; 

 lowest, 28-9. September, 29-837; highest, 30-12; lowest, 

 2905. October, 29-497 ; highest, 32-6 ; lowest, 29-0. 

 November, 29-17 ; highest, 30-07 ; lowest, 29-925. December, 

 29-58; highest, 30025; lowest, 28-71. Average for the 

 year, 29-518 ; highest, 32- 6 ; lowest, 28-45. 



Lists of the dates of First Appearances and First Flowerings 

 are appended, as well as particulars of the prize exhibits of 

 barley, wheat, and oats for 1912, furnished by Rev. James 

 Cross, of Sturminster Marshall. 



