266 METEOROLOGY. 



Bessie at Lelant sands. It was in this gale the London foundered in the 

 Bay of Biscay. The weather was afterwards very mild until the middle of 

 February, throughout the country. 



February. The temperature continued a good deal above the average for 

 the month, and that by night as well as day, as in January, and nearly 

 equally so in Cornwall as at Greenwich ; but this arose from the warmth of 

 the first half of the month. The weather became afterwards much colder, 

 with sharp frost, on six nights at Truro, and on 15 at Altarnun, and the 

 mean fell below the average. The minimum at Helston was 29" ; at Truro, 

 24"; at Altarnun, 23"; at Greenwich, 24". The rainfall was more than twice 

 its usual quantity. The most remarkable incident of the month was a 

 violent thunder storm, about 11 a.m., on the 3rd, and extending to South 

 Devon. In this neighbourhood, the parish Churches of Chacewater and St. 

 Mabe were struck, and seriously damaged. The castle on St. Michael's Mount 

 was struck about 10 a.m. ; and off the Land's End, the Austrian barque, 

 Fortunata, was struck, and six of the men were thrown from the fore yard to 

 the deck ; they were all more or less burnt, but their clothing was uninjured. 

 A like storm visited almost all other parts of the country, from Yorkshire to 

 North Devon, on the following day. 



Ma7-ch. The early days of this month, which were snowy, were the 

 coldest of the year in Cornwall. The thermometer in my garden fell to 

 22";5, and there was frost on nine nights. At Altarnun, 22 nights were frosty, 

 and the minimum was 19°. There was a heavy equinoctial gale on the 23rd, 

 from S.E. to S.W., general throughout the counti-y ; it was chiefly destructive 

 to trees, though some wrecks occurred. The temperature, both day and night, 

 was below the average, giving a not unwholesome check to the too forward 

 vegetation. 



April. This month did not present any very iinusual conditions. It 

 was rather cold for the first ten days, afterwards warmer than usual. The 

 cuckoo was heard on the 16th, near Truro, and swallows seen about Helston 

 on the 14th, both early. 



May. This was from first to last a very ungenial month throughout 

 England, and gave its character to the season. The mean temperature, both 

 by day and night, was considerably below the average, and the cold was in- 

 tensified by strong winds, mostly E. or S.E. On the 4th, the minimum was 

 28" at Trm-o, and 27" at Altarnun, where 15 nights were frosty, and the 

 gi'ound was white with snow on the first two days. This weather seriously 

 affected all the crops, and cut ofi much of the blossom from fruit trees. 



June. The first ten days were fail", the second cool, the third hot, 

 speaking generally. The highest temperature of the year was reached at 

 the end of the month, viz., 88" at Truro, and 89" at Altarnun, where the 

 mean temperature of the last eight days was 66°"7. The maximum at Pen- 

 zance was only 76°; that of Greenwich was 86° -5. Thunder storms were 

 very prevalent ; but fewer accidents were occasioned by them in this county 

 than elsewhere. 



July. The first week was cold and rather damp ; then came a hot speU 

 till the 19th, afterwards the temperature was equable, but rather low, so as 



