BY THE REV. R. P. WHEELER, M.A. 221 



of this period for 1868 was 50*9°; tliat for the corresponding 



period of the other years distinguished for high temperature is 

 as follows : — 



1775 50-0^ 1826 49-5°. 



1779 51-0°. 1846 50-8°. 



1794 49-4°. 1848.. 50-6°. 



1822 51-1°. 1859 50-1°. 



The mean temperature of these five months for all the other 

 years since 1771 was less than 50°. In two instances therefore, 

 viz., in the years 1779 and 1822, have these five months been 

 of higher temperature than 1868, and in both by so small an 

 amount as one-fifth of a degree. But if we compare the mean 

 temperature of the one hundred and seventy-one days (January 

 the 12Lh to June the 30th) with the corresponding period of other 

 years, we find that the year 1822 is the only one distinguished 

 by an excess of temperature over 1868. The average daily ex- 

 cess for these one hundred and seventy-one days was more than 



3i^ 



The five months (February to June) have also been distin- 

 guished by having an almost constant atmospheric pressure 

 above the average : the mean monthly excess was more than 

 0*1 inch. At Greenwich there was also a deficiency of rain in 

 each month. The amount below the average for the five months 

 was 2'5 inches ; but taking the six months, January to June, 

 the quantity very closely approximated to the average, the defi- 

 ciency being only about the hundredth of an inch. There was 

 an excess over the average fall for January of 2*4 inches. 



The highest temperature occurred at Greenwich on the 19th 

 June when it was 87°, and on the 13th and 14th, when it was 

 85°. These temperatures were exceeded at some places in the 

 Midland Counties. 



It is a very remarkable fact, only one thunderstorm occurred 

 at Greenwich during the quarter, viz., on May the 29th, on 

 which day the greater part of the rain for the month fell. The 

 number of thunderstorms over the country generally was much 

 less than usual. 



