14 



extremes ; that there were but eighteen months of average 

 weather ; that thirty-two months were decidedly wet, and 

 thirty-four decidedly dry • and also that there was no appa- 

 rent order in the variations of the weather. For instance, the 

 average fall of rain in May, was an inch and three-quarters ; 

 in May, 1843, more than four inches and a half of rain fell; 

 in May, 1844, not much more than a quarter of an inch ; and in 

 May, 1845, very nearly the average quantity. This great and 

 striking difference of weather in the same month, in successive 

 years, must have had a great effect on vegetation, as well as on 

 the state of the atmosphere. 



" An inspection of the table thus prepared for seven years 

 will prove that there were great irregularities in the state of 

 the weather during the whole of that period. There was not 

 a month of average weather in 1846, there was but one in 

 1845, and but two in 1844 and 1848. 



" The year 1847 was decidedly a dry one, as there only fell 

 twenty-one and a half inches of rain, of which nearly three 

 inches, almost a seventh of the whole, fell in December. 



" In 1846 thirty inches and a half of rain fell, and in 1848 

 upwards of thirty-one inches. See Table No. 1. 



" The irregularity of the weather will be more striking, if 

 we omit from the table all figures except those indicating the 

 greatest and least monthly fall of rain in each year. See 

 Table No. 2. 



" In 1843, most rain fell in May, and least in December. 



" In 1844, most rain fell in November, and least in May. 



" In 1845, most rain fell in Jan., and least in September. 



" In 1846, most rain fell in April, andleast in December. 



" In 1847, most rain fell in December, and least in July. 



" In 1848, most rain fell in August, and least in May. 



" In 1849, most rain fell in October, and least in June. ; 



" Another remarkable irregularity in the weather, as indi- 

 cated by the monthly fall of rain, is, that those months in which 



