158 SPRINGS.—AUTUMNS. 
lar character of the spring. Altogether, our springs 
are very rainy, though changeable and deceitful in 
regard of frosts. Storms, occasionally of severe 
character, occur in this quarter, but are far from 
being punctual to the equinox. Easterly winds are 
frequently observed in spring, but they continue 
only for short periods, are dry and cold, and thereby 
blighting in effects. In the two years 1837 and 1838, 
severe cold has come on late in the season; in 
1837 snow fell on April 22nd, in 1838 snow and 
frosts occurred with intermissions from April 15th 
to 20th. In illustration of the same liability to cold 
in this season, it is further seen that there is a con- 
stant proneness to relapse from the genial warmth 
of approaching summer to pinching cold of the 
commencement of the vernal quarter, and these 
transits occur not infrequently in the lapse of twenty 
four hours. Causes must here be in action respecting 
which I have myself imperfect and unsatisfactory 
ideas, for, very warm days occur with wind from the 
east, and vice versa, cold days with wind from 
the south-west or west. Probably some immediate 
or local conditions of the air in these cases prevent 
the ordinary results. 
Our autumns are usually remarkable for being 
wet, with however an interval or so of fine mild 
weather. Yet there are instances of extreme drought, 
one of which was the autumn of 1836, when the 
generality of the springs in the neighbourhood were 
dried up. The equinoctial gales are generally very 
destructive. During the floods of autumn, the river 
Yealm below me has been known to rise in some 
parts more than twelve feet. 
January is a dry and very cold month, with 
frequent easterly winds. February is a cold, wet, 
and uncomfortable month, with generally periods 
of easterly blasts. March is often showery, with 
unsettled cold winds. April is often cold, windy, 
