Some EemarJcahle t'eatures in the Winter of 1890-91. 425 
valuable information may be gained. In a short time the system 
would become familiar, and no possible harm could result from 
adding such reliable information to a farmer's present knowledge, 
as it would do away with one of the two great elements of uncer- 
tainty that now exist, and assist his judgment in valuing the other. 
Westlev Richards. 
SOME REMARKABLE FEATURES IN THE 
WINTER OF 1890-91. 
The abnormal character of the recent winter continues to be made 
the subject of investigation on the part of meteorologists. In a 
paper read before the Royal Meteorological Society on April 15 
last, Mr. Frederick J. Brodie, F.R.Met.Soc, remarked that the 
peculiarities in temperature were by no means the only features of 
interest in a very extraordinary season, A cold winter is usually, 
though not invariably, brought about by an undue prevalence of 
anticyclonic ' conditions, and there has been no season within recent 
years in which this characteristic was more strongly marked than 
in that of 1890-91. 
Barometric Pressure. — During the frost, which lasted from the 
close of November to about January 21 or 22, the weather over 
England was affected mainly by a huge high-pressure system which 
extended over the Continent from Russia. In February the Russian 
anticyclone gave way, but a new one advanced over France and 
' As ibis term is of frequent occurrence the following elucidatory notes are 
taken from the Hon. Ealph Abercromby's Weaiher, pp. 7,47: "Within the 
last twenty years a new treatment of weather-problems has been introduced, 
by which the whole aspect of meteorology has been changed. By this method 
a chart of a large area of the earth's surface is taken, and after marking on 
the map the height of the barometer at each place [at one and the same 
time], lines are drawn through all stations at which the barometer marks a 
particular height. Thus, a line would be drawn through all places where the 
pressure was 30 0 inches, another through all where it was 29 8 inches, and so 
on at any intervals which were considered necessary. These lines are called 
isobars, because they mark out lines of equal pressure." 
"An anticyclone is an area of high pressure surrounded by nearly circular 
isobars. These are always a considerable distance apart, and extend over a 
large area. The pressure is highest in the centre, and gradually diminishes 
outwards. The air is calm and cold in the central portion, while on the out- 
skirts the wind blows round the centre in the direction of the hands of a watch, 
not exactly parallel to the isobars, but spirally outwards. Unlike a cyclone, 
which is commonly in rapid motion, an anticyclone is often stationary for many 
days together." — Ed. 
VOL. n. T. S. — 6 F F 
