MU. A. W. I’KKSTON 8 METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
505 
month was 5 degrees below the average. Tlie month ranks as one 
of the live coldest Mays of the present century, those of 1817, 
1837, 1855, and 1879, being of a similar mean temperature. A 
disastrous gale from the west-south-west prevailed on the 20th, 
accompanied by heavy rain, which day was more in character with 
November than May, as indeed were many during the month. 
Vegetation was extremely backward, in fact, it is stated that there 
lias been no spring like it since 1837. At the end of the mouth 
many trees were as bare as in the depth of winter, the hawthorn 
had hardly begun to flower, and on “ Uak Apple i)ay ” (May 29th) 
there was scarcely a leaf on the oak trees. 
June. 
The “Jubilee month” brought “ (,)ueen’s weather,” for a more 
delightful June had not been experienced for ten years past than 
that under review. After the six months continued cold ungenial 
weather the change was the more welcome, and by the middle of 
the month all nature was clothed with tlie richest verdure. Tlie 
most remarkable feature of the month was the extraordinary 
drought which prevailed, rain falling on three days only (viz., the 
1st, 2nd, and 8th) to the depth of 0.48 in. A maximum 
temperature of 82.8 degrees was recorded on the 15tli, and on 
twelve other days the thermometer exceeded 70 degrees. The 
warm weather was, however, interspersed Avith some cool northerly 
Avinds about the 24th, causing a considerable fall in the 
temperature. OAving to a severe attack of illness the Avriter Avas 
obliged to discontinue his instrumental observations betAvecn 
June 17th and the middle of July, and is much indebted to 
Mr. J. T. Hotblack, F. R Met. Soc., for his kindness in assisting 
him to supply the blanks in his register. 
July. 
Miis Avas a lino hot summer month, and the Avarmest for three 
years past. The drought Avhich commenced on June 9th broke up 
on July 4th (being an absolute drought of tAventy-six days), but 
the rainfall of the mouth AA-as but trifling, and nearly an inch and 
a half beloAV the average. Thunderstorms occurred on the 9th, 
14th, and 16th, but the rest of the month Avas remarkable for the 
unusual amount of sunshine eA’en for the height of summer, the 
