Meteorological Observations taken in Edinburgh, 195 
the last week, the heaviest fall occurring on the evening of 
the 24th, when at 8.40 p.m. a vivid flash of lightning was 
observed. This was the coldest January since 1881, and 
one of the calmest, gales being virtually absent. 
ebruary.—The severe frost continued during the first 
three weeks of February, the mean temperature of which 
was 28°2. From the 6th to the 10th inclusive the ther- 
mometer never rose to the freezing point, the absolute 
minimum falling to 11°9 on the 8th, this being the lowest 
reading recorded in February since 1825. The average tem- 
perature of the month was 31°2, being 7°’8 below the 50 years 
mean. The nights were relatively colder than the days by 
over a degree, the clear skies favouring nocturnal radiation. 
The lowest maximum observed was 24°°5 on the 7th, on 
which day the mean was 20°°3, being the lowest recorded 
during the frost. The precipitation, chiefly in the form of 
snow, was small, and amounted to half an inch. An absolute 
drought prevailed during the sixteen days ending with the 
22nd. The barometer was high throughout, while sunshine 
was abundant after the 4th. Since 1764 only two colder 
Februarys have been experienced, the average temperature 
in 1838 being 29°8, while in 1855 the mean was 30°°6. The 
average temperature of the two months, January and 
February, was 31°°5, being the lowest since 1838, when the 
mean was 30°2. During the two months under review, the 
distribution of pressure was of an abnormal type, being as a 
rule highest in the north and east, and lowest in the south 
and west. With these conditions, the gradients were for 
easterly and northerly winds, which were much above the 
average in point of frequency. 
March.—On the whole, mild unsettled. weather prevailed 
during the greater part of this month, only one frost being 
recorded after the 5th. There was little sunshine, the 
recorder showing a total of only 63 hours, as against 72 
hours in February. This was the dullest March for 7 years. 
Owing to the large amount of cloud, the temperature of 
the days was 1°:0 below the average, while the nights were 
1°8 warmer than usual. It is worthy of note that the 
maximum temperature from 29th December 1894 to 13th 
