174 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
the ground, but exposed, it fell to 23°’5, and indicated freezing on 
ten nights. Though dahlias and other plants were destroyed, yet 
many survived, owing, it is supposed, to the remarkably dry state of 
the weather, and to the very brief periods during which the severity 
of the cold in each instance lasted. This cold period also con- 
tributed to the remarkable growth which followed, since by playing 
the part of winter, though in a modified degree, it arrested the vital 
functions, and gave plants the benefit of a fresh start with the 
warmth which succeeded. 
The unprecedentedly high temperature began on the 13th of 
November, and continued with scarcely any interruption till Christ- 
mas : see Table II. Of this period the warmest part extended from 
the 13th of November to the end of the month, during which the 
mean temperature of the day was 52°*5, or 9°'0 above the average. 
This day temperature usually prevails about the end of April or 
beginning of May, when the temperature of the night is much lower 
than obtained in November last. 
In the end of November and beginning of December (see Tables 
III. and lY.)) the temperature of the night declined occasionally 
to freezing. At Balfour it fell to 30®‘0, and at the Botanic G-arden 
(exposed) to 26°‘0,— -a degree of frost insufficient to damage those 
autumn flowers which had stood the more severe frost in the begin- 
ning of November, or check the growth of the spring flowers rapidly 
coming into bloom. 
This anomalous weather sufficiently accounts for the strange 
spectacle of meet yeas and Hepaticas blooming together. 
The following Candidates were then balloted for, and 
elected Fellows of the Society 
Kev. Daniel F. Sandfoed. 
Robeet S. Wyld, Esq., W.S. 
The following Donations to the Library were announced 
A Brief Memoir of the late Mr Thackeray. By James Hannay, 
Esq,, author of Singleton Fontenoy, R.N.,” ‘‘ Essays from 
the Quarterly,’^ &c. 8vo.— From the Author. 
Conspectus criticus Diatomacearum Danicarum. Kritisk oversigt 
