IN THE LAKE DISTRICT. 45 
From this table, it appears, that in the instance of the Lake District, the rain-fall 
for the month, with the exception of two spots, Wray Castle and High Close, in- 
creased with advance towards the higher central mountains, in accordance with all 
former observations, especially those of the late Mr Mitter. Ifa conjecture may be 
allowed as to the exceptional spots, I should be disposed to attribute.the difference to 
the position of these places,—one, Wray Castle, standing on a low hill on the western 
margin of Windermere, flanked by no near mountains; the other, High Close, on an 
eminence between Langdale and Easdale ; these vales, skirted by lofty hills, by 
their greater elevation, exercising on the atmosphere a much greater cooling effect. 
Inequalities of rain-fall throughout the kingdom have been a remarkable 
feature of the meteorology of last year, and of the present season ; this is strongly 
shown in the table. How singular, that more rain should have fallen in several 
places in the Lake District in the month than at Cambridge in the whole year! 
As the prevailing winds during January were westerly, oceanic, and moist 
winds, the greater fall of rain on the west coasts is perhaps no more than might 
be expected, this, according with ordinary experience; it is the remarkable 
difference of amount in the Lake District that constitutes the speciality, as it 
now appears, and seems deserving of attention. Probably, were rain-gauges kept 
in the western highlands of Scotland the fall of rain there amongst the moun- 
tains bordering the coast, would be found to be not less, and it may be even 
greater. The flood descending from the hills which swept away so much of the 
embankments of the Crinan Canal in Argyleshire may be mentioned in proof; it 
occurred early in February, after the heavy rains of the preceding month.* 
* Since the above was written, I have been favoured by Professor ALLEN THomson of Glasgow; 
with the following return, comprising nineteen years’ rain-fall at Stonefield, the residence of Coxin G. 
CamPBELL, Hsq., in the vicinity of the Crinan Canal, confirmatory of the remark I have made; no 
doubt, amongst the mountains there, as in the Lake District, the proportion of rain is much larger 
than at the lower levels. 
Average for each Month during these Nineteen Years. 

Yearly Average. 

13205 : : 586 January, . “ a December, 1852, . 14:35 
1415). é F 61'°6 February, . d 5:7 - 1854,"., 144. 
1842, . ‘ : 60:0 March, : ; 4 January, 1849, . 12:9 
Hee. apr | Ard, cohol ip BD - 1859, . 84 
TESA aed beh oy ge Maa Nab or Ly February, 1859, . 6:15 
1845, . é : 77:3 June, . ; ; 44 
1846, . . ‘ 64-7 July, . : ; 4:8 
1847, . : ; 59°7 August, : 0 4:4 
11848, 0. : 4 68:9 September, . : 4 
Hedger te areriga- Gi October: ~~. 64 
HS5052 "72 : : 65°7 November, . : 6°4 
Sas , dH 54-2 December, . ‘ 73 
Se c ; 66:0 
1853, } ; 553 Total for year, 608 
EISEN el aS) 
Tepe SON BY laos 
1SHG, oP odytant pcp 
1857, . fi f 509 
1858, 63°3 
Average 60 inches. 
VOL. XXII. PART I. M 
