70 H. C. RUSSELL. 
On PERIODICITY or GOOD ann BAD SEASONS. 
By H. C. Russet, B.a., 0.M.G., F.R.S. 
[With Plate V.] 
[Read before the Royal Society of N. S. Wales, June 3, 1896.] 
. I Feet some reluctance in coming forward to night, with the 
results of my investigations into the periodicity of good and bad 
seasons—floods and droughts if you will—bevause they must come 
to you as a surprise, and they will make a claim on your con- 
fidence, which at first sight you will probably not be disposed to 
grant. For myself, I know that some years ago, if anyone had 
come to me, stating that it was possible to forecast the seasons 
many years in advance, I should have received the statement 
with incredulity. It will not be a surprise therefore if you 
feel the same, but I hope you will give me a fair hearing before 
coming to a conclusion, so that you may have before you the 
evidence that has convinced me, and you can then form your own 
opinions. 
Tam not unaware of the fact, that there is a great gulf between 
having enough evidence to convince oneself, and being able to 
produce enough evidence to convince an audience, but the state 
ment has not been made until there seemed to me to be evidence 
enough to convince anyone who will carefully weigh it. Moreover 
an endeavour has been made to put the evidence in such a form that 
it can be easily followed by all; to me it seems to be conclusive 
but probably most of those who hear, will wait to be convinced 
by the result of the forecasts, and to meet this very natural feel- 
ing there will be.to night a forecast of the seasons for the coming 
two years. The difficultyin getting the facts together has been very 
great, I have had to ask from history records of passing phenomen4 
which it has been the habit of the historian to neglect; howeve" 
there will’ be before you a mass of evidence in support of MY 
proposition, that there is a periodicity in weather. 
