224 METEOROLOGICAL REPORT, 1868, 



1778 was 67°. In all other years back to 1771 it was less than 

 67°. The month was therefore very remarkable for its high 

 mean temperature, being the highest, except one, of any corre- 

 sponding month during the preceding ninety-seven years. 



At Kew Observatory the highest reading of the barometer was 

 30-373 inches on the 24th; the lowest was on the 28th, 29-674; 

 the mean reading for the month, 30-029 inches. The days when 

 the amount of aqueous vapour present in the air was least were 

 the 20th, 0-45 ; the 22nd, 0-48 ; and the 30th, 0-47 : the mean 

 for the month being 0-61 ; complete saturation being 1-00. 



At the end of July the harvest was progressing well in nearly 

 all parts of the British Isles, and in some of the more favoured 

 districts was well-nigh completed. The corn in most cases was 

 well-nigh ready for thrashing and for the miller as soon as 

 carried. 



There were many sudden deaths from sunstroke during the 

 month. The want of water was severely felt, and this, com- 

 bined with the great heat, acted injuriously to a degree proba- 

 bly unprecedented in this country on animal and vegetable life. 

 Pastures and grass lands were almost universally burnt up. 



Otterburn. — There was a sharp frost on the 23rd, and ice was 

 formed on shallow pools of water. The thermometer fell to 36° 

 during the night about five feet from the ground. The wind was 

 from the N. The highest readings of the thermometer for the 

 month were 77° on the 3rd, 78" on the 21st and 22nd, and 79° 

 on the 28th. The lowest were 86° on the 23rd, and 38° on the 

 24th. 



Wallington. — The continuous drought has had a most destruc- 

 tive effect on the moles. The ground was dried for a depth of 

 more than two feet. Hundreds of moles were found in the 

 woods and fields, having died in their search for food. Snails 

 and slugs, except in damp places, were almost exterminated ; — a 

 circumstance whereat farmers and gardeners may rejoice. On 

 the 24th the temperature at night fell to 32° ; on the 25th and 

 26th to 31°. 



