173 rv. CLIMATE. 



only once in the series of ten years. The widest range 

 or variation during the same single year was 86 in 1816, 

 and 84 in 1808 ; the two years respectively distinguished 

 by the lowest and highest temperatures. In 1814, the 

 high and low temperatures of 91 and 8 were noted; 

 giving a range of 83 for the same year. According to the 

 registers at Thames Ditton, from 1838 to 1857, the ther- 

 mometer of Fahrenheit was only twice observed below 

 zero during the series of twenty years ; namely at — 8 in 

 the night of January 19, 1838, and at — 2 in the morning 

 of February 12, 1845. In other two of the years it was 

 noted at 8 above zero, and in two others at 10 above zero. 

 During some of the years it fell only to about 20 ; and in 

 one of them it was not registered below 27. The highest 

 temperatures at the same place, during the same twenty 

 years, were much more uniform, varying only from 80 to 

 90. Only once was the latter high figure attained ; and 

 in three of the years that of 80 was the highest for each 

 year. In the other sixteen years the variations were 

 from 82 to 89. 



Temperatures below zero occur in other parts of 

 Britain ; but perhaps nowhere below those occasionally 

 experienced in the south-eastern provinces, unless at con- 

 siderable elevations. Thus, the night between January 

 19 and 20, in the year 1838, was remarkable for very low 

 temperatures in many places. The subjoined records in 

 relation thereto were collected by Mr. Wilson Armistead, 

 and printed in Hall's Flora of Liverpool : — 



Sheffield, South-west Yorkshire, — 5 degrees. 



Chiswick, Middlesex, . . — 4 



Hampstead Heath, Middlesex, 

 Greenwich, West Kent, 

 Leicester, Leicestershire, . 

 York. (Vice-County '?) . 



—4 

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3 



