232 
MO. A. w. Preston’s meteorological notes. 
2 degrees below tlie average. The entire month was a great 
contrast to the previous Mareh Avhich was 5 degrees warmer, but 
on the other hand was not nearly so winterly as the Mareh of 
1883. The weather was chiefly dry, with an unusually high mean 
barometric pressure. There was but little snow, although, at the 
equinox, London and the South of England were visited by a 
heavy snowstorm. ]\Iuch bright sunshine prevailed, but the winds 
Avere very parching and retarded vegetation. 
April. 
The cold and ungenial weather Avhich set in in IMareli continued 
Avithout intermission till the 18th of this month. The second 
(Easter) Aveek Avas exceedingly unpleasant from the exeessive gloom 
and almost incessant light rain which prevailed throughout the greater 
jiart of it. The north-easterly Avinds continued till the 18th, Avhen 
they gave Avay to south-Avesterly currents, which produced a sudden 
and most agreeable change in tlie Aveather. The thermometer, Avhich 
during the first eighteen days of the month had but rarely 
exceeded 50 degrees, rose on the 19th to G9 degrees* on the 20th 
to 73 degrees, on the 21st to 74 degrees, and on tlie 22nd to 
72 degrees. Such high temperatures as these had not been 
recorded in April for nine years past. Each of these four days 
Avas nearly cloudless, and more in character Avith J ul}" than April. 
The remainder of the month Avas showery but Avarm, and the effect 
upon vegetation Avas most striking. The earlier spring lloAvers had 
appeared at about their average time, but the cold Avinds of INfarch 
and the first half of April had kept vegetation completely at a 
standstill. By the end of the month the fruit trees Avere in full 
bloom, and most forest trees rapidly assuming their summer foliage. 
j\Iay. 
This Avas a cold and Avet month, being the coldest May for six 
years, and the Avettest for seven years past. Much gloom prevailed, 
and hardly a day passed Avithout rain. The day temperature.s 
rarely approached 60 degrees, and night frosts Averc of frequent 
occurrence. Although the minimum temperature recorded Avas 
31 degrees (on the morning of the Sth), the thermometer on the 
grass in freely exposed places fell considerably loAver. The 
