30 J. F. Miller, Esq., on the 



frosts occurred on the mornings of the 16th and 17th, and Aurorse 

 were frequent during the latter half of the month. 



An unusual number and great variety of the Lepidoptera were 

 visible during the warm summer weather which was continuous dur- 

 ing the first ten days. On the 10th, the writer noticed three but- 

 terflies, (the Admiral, Peacock, and Tortoise-shell) all located at one 

 time on a carnation plant, in a garden within the precincts of this 

 town. 



Third Quarter. — The mean temperature of the quarter ending 

 September 30th, is unusually high, being 2 0, 28 above its average 

 value. The deaths are 73, being 48 less than the average number 

 in thirteen years, corrected for increase in population ; consequently, 

 this quarter has been unusually healthy at this place, notwithstand- 

 ing the inordinate heat of the summer months. It would appear 

 from the Registrar-General's report for this quarter, that an equally 

 favourable account cannot be given of the state of the public health, 

 as *' the deaths exceed the number in any of the corresponding quar- 

 ters of former years, except 1846 and 1849." 



October. — A pretty fine, but cold month. Temperature 2°*10 

 below the average. Thunder-storms occurred on the evenings of 

 the 1st and 24th. On the 1st, Skiddaw and Great-End were 

 capped with snow, the first time this autumn ; and in the evening 

 of the same day, a thunder-storm occurred in the Lake District. 

 On the 2d, Swallows began^ to congregate in large flocks in this 

 vicinity. 



November. — Mild and wet. The temperature is l o, 20 above its 

 average value. On the 9th, about 4 h 30 m a.m., a shock of Earth- 

 quake was felt by most of the inhabitants of this town who were 

 awake at the time, and by many who were awoke by the convulsion. 

 A low rumbling noise was succeeded by two slight but distinct shocks, 

 the principal effects being the jingling of glasses, the rattling of 

 crockery, and a kind of rocking motion communicated to the beds. 

 In some cases, persons were awoke from a sound sleep and jumped 

 on the floor, expecting an attack from some nocturnal marauder ; and 

 the instances are numerous in which individuals imagined that some 

 one was hidden under their beds. The earthquake appears to have 

 been principally confined to the two sides of the Irish Channel, though, 

 strange to say, nothing of it was experienced at sea. It was felt as 

 far south as Gloucester. The temperature had been unusually high 

 for ten days previous to the shock, and it fell rapidly after its occur- 

 rence. Between the 9th and 10th, the mean temperature fell 9°, 

 and in 48 hours, between the 8th and 10th, the mean depression 

 was 15 0, 7 (14° in the maximum, and 17°' 5 in the minimum or 

 night temperature). As it is well to record all the phenomena im- 

 mediately preceding or following such extraordinary physical occur- 

 rences, even though at the time they may seem to have no direct 

 connection with the events in question, I may state, that on the day 



