( IV ) 
and for the amount measured. At the Eoyal Observatory, Green- 
wich, 11*75 inches were measured on 53 of the 92 days of the 
quarter, exceeding the average in 64 years by 4'4 inches ; 3'7 inches 
were measured in July. 5-2 inches in August, and 2 8 inches in 
September. The rainfall exceeded the average in each m<mtli of 
the quarter ; ihe excess was largest in Augnst. The previous 
instances of such a large fall in this quarter arc — in the year 1828, 
13-8 inches, in the year 1829, 12-3 inches, in the year 1839 and 
1867, 11-4 inches, and in 1875, 10-3 inches; in all other years the 
fall has been less than 10 inches ; this by itself would have been 
remarkable, but is much more so when added to the heavy falls 
of the preceding six month.s, viz. 17*3 inches, making the total 
fall this year to the end of September the unprecedented amount 
of 29 inches. 
The number of hours of bright sunshine measured during the 
■quarter at Greenwich Observatory was 354-9, against 441-4 and 
451-4 in the corresponding periods of 1877 and 1878; the most 
marked deficiency of sunshine occurred during July. 
Fourth Quarter (October, November, Decembar). — The readings cf 
the barometer were above their averages in each month of the 
quarter. 
The month of October was perhaps the finest month in the year, 
yet it was cold, dull, and sunless, with a smaller rainfall than in 
any October since 1834. November was an exceedingly cold 
month, with scarcely any rain till after the 18th day; it was not, 
however, a dry month owing to mists. December was a remark- 
ably cold month, of lower temperature than any December in this 
century ; it was also remarkable for dense and A-ery continuous 
fogs and high readings of the barometer. 
In October the temperature was variable : there were a few days 
of warm weather, then a few days of cold weather, the latter jire- 
jiunderating, and so on throughout the month. From November 1st 
to December 27th the weather was most winterly and very severe. 
The day of lowest temperature was December 7th : its mean tem- 
perature was 23--6, being 17"-9 below its average. The coldest 
group of days was from December 1st to 7th; their mean tem- 
perature was 25°-9, or 15°-8 below their averages. The mean 
daily temperature of the 12 days between Noveml)er 30th and 
December 11th was 27"-85, or 13°-67 below the average for these 
days. The mean temperature of the 38 days ending Decem- 
ber 27th was Sf-l, or 9°-7 below the average. 
The temperature of every month of the year was below its 
average, and there is no other instance back to the year 1771 of 
