460 The Plague of Field Mice, by Sir Walter Elliot. 



best thanks are due to Mr Buchan. They show unmistakeably 

 that from February, 1871, to January, 1876, the temperature of 

 the winter months was higher than the average, and attended 

 with little frost. A slight exception is found in February, 1873, 

 and a more marked one in December, 1874. But the frost in 

 the former was slight, and in the latter was accompanied by 

 much snow, which lay long and deep, giving effectual protection 

 to the voles, as stated by several farmers and shepherds, who 

 speak to the appearance of the ground under the wreaths, after 

 it melted. 



Thus favoured, they continued to prosper during 1875, and 

 were prepared to pour forth their swarms in 1876. The change 

 of weather, which took place in April of that year, together with 

 scarcity of food and the increasing assaults of their enemies com- 

 bined, to rid the district of their presence. 



February. Temp. 3°. 9 above the average ; very little frost. Heavy rain 

 from 20th to 24th, with snow from 19th to 28th. 

 1872-3. 



December. Temp. 0.3 above the average, but fell several times below 

 freezing, once to 18°. Eain in some places, on 8th, 17th, and 22nd. 



January. Temp. 3°. 9 above the average Frost very little, temp, only 

 once falling to 18°. Kainfall heavy on 3rd, 9th, 16th, and 18th. 



February. Temp. 1°.8 beloiv the average. Hard frost on the 2nd, 3rd, 

 23rd, 24th, and 25th, temp, falling to 16?, 15°, and 19°. Little rain; but a 

 good deal of snow fell from 1st to 8th, on 10th, and from the 22nd to the 25th. 

 1873-4. 



December, 1873. Temp. 2°. 9 above the average. Not much frost, and 

 that chiefly in the first half of the month, when snow fell at intervals. 



January. Temp. 5°. 9 above the average, with scarcely any frost, the lowest 

 temperature being 27°. Eain fell on the first half of the month ; and some 

 snow from the 16th to the 22nd, and at the end of the month. 



February. Temp. 0°.7 above the average; no continued severe frost, 

 but temperature fell to 17° on the 11th. Little rain, some snow at intervals. 

 1874-75. 



December, 1874. Temp 8°3 below tbe average. The month throughout 

 was noted for continued hard frost, which was severe from the 22nd to the 

 24th, and from the 28th to the 3 1st, the temperature falling to 3°, and in 

 some places to half a degree above zero (0°.5). The month was also remark- 

 able for the great quantity of snow, and the frequency with which it fell over 

 the whole country. 



January, 1875. Temp. 5°. 4 above the average, with very little frost, and 

 heavy rainfall. Some snow fell at intervals. 



February. Temp. 1°.3 below the average, but no continued hard frost, 

 and but little rain. Snow fell from the 8th to the 10th. 



