388 METEOROLOGICAL KEPORT, 1S69, 



Rainbows v/ere seen at Byrness on the Btla ; at Otterburn on 

 the 5th ; at Rothbury on the 5th ; at Seaham Hall on the 15th. 



February. — 



" When guats dance in February the husbandman becomes a beggar." 



— Old Proverb. 

 " Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short."— Shakspeare. 



Greenwich.— The month of February was, like January, ex- 

 ceptionally warm. The mean temperature of February was 

 45 "3°, being 6*9° higher than the average of 98 years, and with 

 the sole exception of 1779, when the same temperature was re- 

 corded, higher than the corresponding value in any year in the 

 period 1771-1868. 



From February 4th till March 7th small fluctuations in the 

 movements of the barometer occurred, the readings being al- 

 ternately above and below the average in short periods ; the 

 amount of excess or defect on one occasion only, being greater 

 than 0*4 inch. 



The daily range of temperature was 0*7° greater than the 

 average. 



North Sunderland. — A mild month on the whole. S.W. and 

 westerly winds were remarkably prevalent. 



Wallington. — A fine spring-like month. The lowest reading 

 of the thermometer was 23° on the 29th. On twelve nights 

 there was a slight amount of frost. Farmers had abundant 

 supplies of cattle food as the grass was good. 



On the 25th a violent gale of wind began to blow at 12 noon, 

 and the thermometer rose 10° between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. 



Bywell.— The mild weather during the greater part of the 

 month advanced vegetation too rapidly ; the fall of temperature 

 towards the end of the month did much good. 



Wylam. — A fine mild month, Avith much wind. Everything 

 very forward : a thrush's nest with eggs in it on the 4th. 



