XXXVl 



observations extend. In September tlie temperature was 92 in 

 the shade, and in fact there had been no instance recorded during 

 the last 98 years of so high a temperature as during the whole of 

 the summer quarter. For the temperature to rise to 96 degrees 

 in the shade in this country was unparalleled so far as they had 

 any record. In Cornwall they had experienced another instance 

 of the benefit which they derived from their proximity to the sea, 

 as according to the records which they had kept at the Eoyal In- 

 stitution during the last 31 years, they had no instance in which 

 the temperature had risen as high as 90. The highest point 

 reached here, this year, was 85 degrees in the shade, in July. 

 So far as regarded extremes, therefore, the summer in Cornvv^all 

 presented nothing peculiar ; but when they came to the mean, 

 they found that the past season was exceptional in Cornwall also. 

 In May the temperature was 2-6 above the average ; in June 2-2 ; 

 in July 5-3; in August -3; in September 3-3; or an average of 

 2 7-IOths in excess of the 31 years over which the observations 

 of the Institution extended. The mean temperature of the nights 

 had also been high. With regard to the drying effect of such 

 seasons. Dr. Barham pointed out that, as Mr. G-laisher had well 

 observed, the effect of a hot summer was not to be taken by itself, 

 but in conjunction with the rainfall of many months before, which 

 was stored up in the ground, and drawn upwards as the heat in- 

 creased. The autumn of 1867 it would be recollected was a wet 

 one, and if the next month turned out only an average for 

 December, the rainfall of 1868 would be two or three inches in 

 excess of the average. If, therefore, there was a dry season in 

 1869, vegetation would not be seriously injured by it. 



Dr. Barham then read a letter written by Mr. Albert Way 

 to Mr. Eogers, suggestiiig the collection of all the facts re- 

 lating to the traces of the Eomans in Cornwall, and making 

 special allusion to certain " finds " of coins. With reference to 

 the latter point, the Chairman observed that Roman coins found 

 at Falmouth, and which were sold at a shilling each, had been 

 only worth 2d. He thought they ought to have a good collection 

 of coins, impressions where originals could not be jDrocured, as 

 one branch of the Gorimhia Romana which Mr. Way suggested. 



