446 Mr James Tait on the Rainfall of 1872. 



owing to the wet autumn months, the average was exceeded, the 

 amount being 2547 inches; otherwise, till September, it ranked 

 with the four preceding years. The years 1857, 1858, and 1859, 

 were also under the average, whilst 1854, 1856, 1860, 1861, and 

 1862 were above the average, the nearest approach to the year 

 that has just closed being 1 85 6, which measured 28*28 inches. 

 From these facts it appears, although the rainfall is acknowledged 

 to be exceedingly capricious, that there are periodical periods, 

 extending over some years, when there is a heavy and light fall. 



The distance between Abbey Bank, Kelso, and Springwood 

 Park is not more than a mile, and yet the difference in the 

 two rainfalls as observed at the two places is considerable. 

 They are on opposite sides of the Tweed, but there seems no 

 variation in situation to account for the difference. 



Abbey Bank, Kelso. 



Inches. 



January, ...... 2*64 



February, 2'25 



March, 2-77 



April, 2-82 



May, 2-90 



June, ' 2-25 



July, 3-82 



August, 2-67 



September, 5-48 



October, 3 34 



November, 3-50 



December, 4-02 



38-46 

 We give next the amount of rain at Milne Graden, in 

 Berwickshire, twelve miles lower down the Tweed than 

 Kelso, and it is within a very small fraction of that recorded 

 at Springwood Park ; but it is to be noted that in some 

 months the fall has been less at Milne Graden, while in 

 November and December it was much more. The record is 

 kept by Mr William Renwick, gardener :— 



Months Inches. Wet Days, 



January, 2 3-l0ths 10 



February, 2 13 



March, 1 6-lOths 8 



April, 2 4-10ths 11 



May, 2 7-10ths 17 



June, 2 3-10ths 18 



