264 



METEOROLOGY. 



little remarkable in those of spring and summer. Thus, in the year 1866, 

 if we compare Penzance and Bodmin, we find that in April, May, June, July, 

 and August, the total of rain was 14'53 inches at the former place, and 15'63 

 inches at the latter, whilst for the remaining seven months, the quantities 

 were 23-97 inches, and 39*54 inches, respectively. In the four years from 

 1863 to 1866, hitherto compared, there has even been a preponderance of the 

 rain scale at Penzance, for the months of April, May, and June, as will ap- 

 pear from the following tabular statement of the totals at each of the two 



Stations : — 



Penzance. Bodmin. 



April 8-22 inches 6-82 inches. 



May 8-71 „ 8-93 „ 



June 9-92 „ 10-82 „ 



Totals 26-85 



26-57 



I have dwelt more on this difference of the ratios of rainfall at these 

 western and eastern Stations in the several seasons — a difference to which I 

 have before called attention, in regard to the progressive increase of rainfall 

 with elevation at the five successive heights, from Plymouth to the top of 

 Dartmoor, published for several years from the record of the late Mr. Treby, 

 of Goodamoor — becaiise of its very important bearing on the agricultixre of 

 the districts concerned, and on whatever other interests are involved in the 

 quantity of rain at certain seasons. What has been said of Bodmin applies 

 with yet greater force to Altarnun, a moorland site, where the gauge is 570 

 feet above the sea. Although the total rainfall last year was no less than 

 72-54, the excess over that at Bodmin, in the months above mentioned, was 

 only -66 inch. 



For the sake of giving the data for a truer estimate of the character of 

 the half year during which the processes of vegetable gTowth and maturation 

 chiefly take place, I havo, as in former years, drawn up the following table : — 



The facts recorded in 

 estimating the season, and 



this tabiilar summary are of great moment in 

 one section may serve to correct the inferences 



