256 



REPORT — 1878. 



the years of maximum and minimum in the previous comparisons, and yet 

 the results are similar. It may be urged, however, that the " mean 

 cycle" is formed by "bloxaming" the "means." But this objection, 



Table XLIII. — Rainfall at ten Observatories from 1855 to 1867. 



Interpolations. 



also, if it is one, may be removed by making a direct comparison. Taking 

 the thirteen " means " given in Tables III., VII., XVIII., XXI., and 

 XXVII., we get the following results : — 



Table XLIV. — Direct Comparison of the Rainfall with the Sunspots. 



Maximum years in 6th line. 



The mean rainfall is 38-5 inches, and the mean of the sunspot numbers is 

 48"1. Now, the rainfall and the sunspots are below or above their respective 



