MU. A. W. PRESTON’S METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
55 
weather was of a distinctly different type, with northerly and north- 
easterly winds, and a decided fall of temperature, the day readings 
being generally about 10 degrees lower than the prevalent value 
during the first three weeks. The Winter Aconite made its first 
appearance on the 19th, or eighteen days later than the previous 
year, and the Snowdrop on the 28th, or nineteen days later? 
notwithstanding that the temperature of the Autumn and early 
Winter had been much higher in 1898 than in 1897. This is 
somewhat singular, and can only be explained by the drought of 
the previous August and September preventing the commencement 
of growth at the usual time, which would accordingly seem to be 
earlier than is generally supposed. The fact is worthy the attention 
of Horticulturists. 
February. 
The month entered with some slight snowstorms and a little frost, 
but of no long duration, the weather soon becoming mild and 
squally again. From the 8th to the 1 4th it blew hard from the 
south and south-west, with but little intermission, although the 
wind did not here reach the force of a gale on each day. There 
was hardly any rain after the 15th, and the remainder of the month 
was bright and mild by day, with morning and evening frosts. 
The thermometer reached 03. 6 degrees on the 10th, which appears 
to bo the highest reading recorded in the first half of February 
during the present century, although 04 degrees was recorded on 
the 28th in 1840 and 1891. 
March. 
To the 17th this month was line, mild, and dry, the thermometer 
on the 11th rising to 02.2 degrees, and the rainfall of this period 
amounted to 0. 13 in. only. An abrupt change to cold, rough weather 
occurred on the 18th owing to the arrival of a cyclonic disturbance 
over the North iSea, where it became nearly stationary for some 
days. Snow fell daily from the 18th to the 23rd, the fall on the 
night of the 19th, which registered, when melted, 0.73 in., being the 
heaviest for some years. The snow laid about six to eight inches 
deep on the level, and the country presented the appearance of the 
depth of Winter. On the 21st the thermometer fell to 14 degrees 
in the screen, and to 9.4 degrees on the grass, which severity had 
