( II ) 
ON 
THE METEOROLOGY OF ENGLAND 
DURING 
THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1859. 
By JAMES GLAISHEE, Esq., F.K.S., 
SEC. OF THE BEIIISB UETEOROLOGICAL EOCIETT. 
Till the 9th of January the temperature was alternately in excess 
and defect ; the mean for that period being nearly that of the 
average. On the 10th a warm period set in, which continued till 
the end of the quarter. The excess of temperature in January over 
the average of 88 years was 4^-4 ; in Februaiy 4°-9 ; and in March 
5°'5. The average excess of daily temperature for the 80 days, 
from Jan. 10 to March 31, was 5°'3. The days of February and 
the nights of March were remarkably warm. 
The mean of the three months ending the 31st of March was 43°-o ; 
that of the average of 88 years was 38°4- ; so that the excess upon 
the whole quarter was very nearly 5°. Since 1771 the mean tem- 
perature of the first three months of the present year has only been 
twice exceeded : namely in 1822, when the mean was 43°-5 ; and in 
1846, when it was 43°-6. 
The mean temperature of the dew-point was above its average in 
each month, but by less amount than the 'excess of temperature ; 
consequently though there was more water present in the air than 
usual, yet the air was less humid in each month than the average. 
The reading of the barometer was very high in January, and 
slightly in excess in February and March. The readings in the 
three months were highest at southern stations, gi-adually decreas- 
ing to the lowest at northern stations. 
The fall of rain was deficient in each month at all the southern 
stations, excepting Cornwall and Devonshire ; only one-half of the 
average fell in January and February. The deficiency was not so 
great at northern stations. At Greenwich the fall in the five years 
ending 1853 was 131 inches; in the five years ending 1858 it was 
104 inches: the difference exceeds 1 year's fall. There was a 
remarkable rain at Bristol on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of March, 
amounting to 3'29 inches. 
The mean temperature of the air at Greenwich for the quarter 
.ending Februarj', constituting the three winter months, was 41°'5, 
being 3-8 abo ve the average of 88 years. 
