342 REPORT—1905. 
8. Meteorological Notes from Natal Observatory. 
By R. Fermor Renven1, B.A., /.R.AS. 
Position of Observatory.—The Observatory is situated on the south-eastern 
slope of a low range of hills near Durban, about two and a half miles from the 
sea, and at a height of about 260 feet above the sea-level. It is in south latitude 
29° 50’ 46/7, and in east longitude 2 hours 4 min. 1:18 sec. from Greenwich. 
. Observations. —For full details of the meteorological records maintained at the 
Observatory and at various stations throughout the Colony, reference must be 
made to the yearly reports of the Government astronomer. 
In the present paper an endeavour was made to exhibit, in as clear a form as 
possible, some of the important results indicated by. a study of these reports. : 
The continuous records now being obtained are already of considerable value, 
and there can be no doubt that they will steadily increase in usefulness, as the 
period over which they extend becomes longer, especially if an advance is also 
made in the number and efficiency of observers working in neighbouring regions. 
Rainfall.—A table was given showing the monthly results for the twenty-one 
years 1884-1904 inclusive. The annual totals were also shown, and, with the help 
of charts which have been prepared, it can readily be seen at a glance how far 
each month or each year is above or below the average. 
A further tabular statement showed the number of days on which rain fell during 
each month and each year. 
In addition, the total fall for each winter and each summer has been ex- 
tracted, and the means have been calculated. 
A supplementary table gave the results of observations made at the Botanical 
Gardens before the foundation of the Observatory. 
The continuous record is thus carried back to the beginning of the year 1873. 
Tabulated Records.—Under the heading of ‘ Annual Summaries,’ the follow- 
ing results are presented in tabular form for the twenty years 1885-1904 inclu- 
sive :— 
1. The monthly and annual means of the standard barometer readings taken 
daily at 9 a.m. and at 3 P.M. 
2. Similar records of the standard thermometer readings. 
3. Monthly and annual means of daily records of maximum and minimum 
temperature in shade. 
4, The actual maximum and minimum temperature recorded in each month. 
5. The mean amount of moisture in the air. 
6. The average force of the wind. 
7. The average amount of cloud. 
Following the annual summaries will be found a condensed table to facilitate 
a comparison of the results for each year. By its means the character of any 
season can be ascertained at once. 
The maximum and minimum readings of the barometer and the thermometer, 
and the greatest variation of temperature in one day, are shown for each year. 
In most respects the tables given explain themselves; a detailed description, 
therefore, seems superfluous. 
As an example of a typical year, a full record of the daily observations during 
1903 is added. This, with the help of the analysis which follows it, shows clearly 
the general character of the various changes which occur in Durban during the 
course of a year. 
Concluding Remarks.—The detailed information now available as to climatic 
conditions in Natal for some years past will bear upon any discussion which arises 
as to the development of observing stations in South Africa. 
An additional importance attaches to these records, as a connection has been 
traced between conditions prevailing in South Africa and those in Australia. 
Natal observations gre also employed in the investigation of the flyctuations of 
rainfall in India. 
