306 MR. J. BAXENDELL ON CHANGES IN THE SEASONS 



returns for 1855-68, and have obtained the following 

 results : — 



Total fall of rain Total fall of rain 

 during the spring during the autumn Difference 



and summer months, and winter months. 



inches. inches. 



1847 17*22 2472 — 7*50 



1848 19*25 2i'7i — 2-46 



1849 ^3-59 I9"82 — 623 



1850 14-59 15*18 - 0-59 



1851 17-14 i3'2o • + 3*94 



1852 13*38 23-96 — 10*58 



1853 I5'72 14*10 -\- i'6z 



1854 ..., 13*94 20*03 — 6*09 



In six years out of the eight the fall of rain during spring 

 and summer was less than during autumn and winter, 

 while in two only was it in excess. The mean difference 

 for the entire period was — 3*48. It is evident therefore 

 that the general character of the climate during this period 

 was similar to that of the period 1863-68 ; and therefore I 

 inferred that the mean rate of mortality would be found to 

 be correspondingly high. The following figures for Lanca- 

 shire will show that this inference was correct : — 



Annual rate of mortality 

 per cent, in Lancashire. 



1847 3*582 



1848 2*765 



1849 3*037 



1850 2.464 



1851 2*647 



1852 2889 



1853 2-8i8 



1854 2766 



Mean rate = 2*871 



The mean rate tSji is slightly above that of the five 

 years 1863-67, which was 2*775, and is 0*313 above that of 

 the favourable years 1855-62. This difference of 0*313 is 

 equivalent to an excess of 12*2 per cent, per annum in the 

 number of deaths. It thus appears that during a period of 



