1 907-] 



Notes on the Weather. 



499 



uniform depth of i ft. 6 in. and a layer of concrete was laid 

 over the whole. Upon this a coating of pitch was put to stop 

 any moisture from below from penetrating through the concrete 

 to the layer of non-conducting material. In order to form 

 a suitable bed for the non-conductor, dry sand was spread 

 over the tarred surface. For the non-conducting material, 

 mica as used for boiler-covering was selected. This was 

 specially manufactured in blocks resembling paving stones, 

 2 ft. square and 2 in. thick. It was intended that the surface 

 of these should be covered with a thin impermeable white 

 enamel, but this was found impossible, so a coating of asphalt 

 was laid over the whole upper surface as well as between the 

 edges. This was not satisfactory and militated against the 

 scientific accuracy of the experiment. However, the pond 

 was tested during 1906, and it was found that water accumu- 

 lated in it during the night but evaporated during the day. 

 This was probably due to the asphalt, the heat of which when 

 warmed by the sun could not, owing to the non-conducting 

 property of the mica, be transmitted to the earth. In the 

 spring of 1907, however, if was found that the pond remained 

 practically full, and the rain which fell into it during the 

 winter showed no signs of disappearing. Unfortunately the 

 matter could not be conclusively proved as the surface of the 

 asphalt was pierced during the summer and the water admitted 

 to the layer of mica, thus reducing it to a useless pulp. 



An interesting point which was tested in the course of these 

 experiments was the effect of colour on the deposition of dew. 

 It was found that a pan painted white collected five times 

 as much dew as one painted black, green being nearly as good. 



The short spell of fine weather which was experienced in September gave way in 

 the first week of October. Rain occurred rather frequently, and in some places the 

 falls were at times large. The temperature was, however, 

 Notes On the as a rule high, and was " unusual " in every district. 

 Weather in October. Sunshine was "moderate" except in England S. and 

 S.W. , where it was " scanty." A few night frosts were 

 recorded. The second week witnessed a change for the worse. Rainfall was " heavy " 

 everywhere (" very heavy " in Scotland E.), the excess above the average being large. 

 Bright sunshine was less prevalent in the west than in the north and east, and as a 

 rule was only " moderate." The warmth, however, was " unusual " in England N.E.» 

 E. and S. Thunder and lightning occurred in nearly all parts of the kingdom, and in 

 some places hail was experienced. Ground frost was recorded over a very large area. 

 A gale occurred in the south of England. The third week was again wet and 

 unsettled, especially over England and the southern half of Scotland. Thunderstorms 



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