Meteorological Observations taken at Edinburgh. 79 
while the downfall for the month was under half an inch, 
the smallest for September since 1860, when 0°34 inch fell. 
Barometric pressure was unusually high and steady, and as 
pressure was greater in the north than in the south of our 
islands, the prevailing winds were easterly, which explains 
the small amount of sunshine registered, viz., 91 hours. The 
mean barometric pressure (30°22 inches) was the highest 
observed in September during at least the last 55 years. 
October.—During the first three weeks the prevailing type 
of weather was anti-cyclonic, but as N.E. and E. winds pre- 
dominated, temperature was low and sunshine scanty, the 
total for the month being only 64 hours. The wind never 
attained the force of a gale, the mean velocity being barely 
four miles per hour. A deep depression passed over the 
north of Scotland on the 24th and 25th, the barometer at 
midnight falling to 28661 inches. During the last fortnight 
there was only one dry day, over 2 inches of rain falling 
in this period. The first frost of the season was registered 
on the grass on the 3rd, and in the shade on the 23rd. 
November. — Unusually mild weather was experienced 
throughout, the mean temperature being 5° above the 
average, and the highest since 1881. Since 1764 only two 
milder Novembers have occurred, viz., those of 1818 and 
1881, with mean temperatures of 47°'1 and 46°°3 respectively. 
Westerly winds blew well nigh persistently throughout, not 
a single observation of a N., N.E., or E. wind being recorded, 
whilst W. and S.W. blew on 22 days. Sunshine was 
abundant, and the greatest since 1879. Rainfall was 
only half the average, nearly all of which fell during 
the first fortnight. The unusual phenomenon of rain 
falling from a cloudless sky was observed on the 16th, 
at 11 P.M. 
December.—The month was noteworthy for two excep- 
tionally severe storms, each involving the loss of many lives 
both on land and sea. That of the 21st to 22nd was, if any- 
thing, the more remarkable of the two, the barometer falling 
to the low level of 28:12 inches at 6.30 a.m. of the 22nd, on 
which day the increase of pressure from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. 
amounted to 1:02 inch, or 0°17 inch per hour. The following 
