349 
Observations made at Leith . 
rarely experienced in this country. The force of solar radiation during this 
period was also very great. We observed it several ti m es to exceed 65° ; and 
on the 27th it was 7 5°, the covered thermometer having risen in the sun-beams 
to 150°. The consequence of this excessive heat was, that the country was 
“ burnt up and in many districts the crops were brought to a premature 
harvest. “Up till the middle of June, the season was the finest ever recol- 
lected ; at that period, if there ever was as great, there certainly never was a 
greater promise of crop in the country ; but the want, not only of rain, but al- 
so of dew, since that time, has greatly curtailed our prospects.” The follow- 
ing relates to Perthshire : “ At the end of April, the soil was, for the most 
part, tolerably well saturated with moisture. A regular and moderate supply 
of rain in May, afforded sufficient moisture to the growing crops ; but about 
the 8th of June, the heat began to be oppressive, and the rains less frequent. 
July passed with scarce any rain, while the temperature was unusually high. 
On the 27th, the thermometer stood at 87° in the shade, an elevation which 
it has not reached in Perthshire for twelve years before ; nor during the same 
period have the rains been so limited. In the northern parts of the county, 
indeed, thunder showers were frequent, and the soil was liberally supplied with 
moisture ; but in all the southern districts, the drought was most severe. On 
light gravelly soils, the crop will be very short, and the extreme heat, with 
clear sunshine, is bringing on a premature ripeness. In the early districts, 
the pastures are completely burnt up.” 
The crops derived the greatest advantage from heavy rains which fell du- 
ring the first two weeks of August, while the remainder of the month was as 
favourable to the operations of harvest as could be wished : the weather was 
steady, no rain fell ; and the radiation from the sun was direct and powerful. 
The mean temperature of the month was 58°, 2, and more than 2 inches of rain 
were measured. The autumnal diseases prevailed towards the latter end of 
the month, to a very great extent in many districts ; and on the whole, the 
season may be said to have been a sickly one. 
September was a pleasant month, and was favourable for the most part to 
field operations. The pressure was rather low, and the humidity considerable, 
although less rain fell than during the preceding month. 
In October, there was a great prevalence of strong westerly gales, accompa- 
nied during the first two weeks by heavy rains, and towards the end of the 
month by frosts. The temperature was above the mean ; the pressure mode- 
rate. Rain fell on 20 days to the depth of 2.6 inches. The harvest was com- 
pleted beautifully, and most orchard fruits were abundant. 
November — The temperature about the mean ; pressure low ; west winds 
prevalent. A considerable number of aurorae were seen during this month. 
The minimum temperature was 25°. The year closed with moderately plea- 
sant weather. The winds during December were variable, but not particu- 
larly strong. The humidity was not great ; 2.3 inches of rain fell. 
The whole year may be characterized as having been warm and dry. The 
annual mean temperature is not, indeed, much above the average ; but the 
quantity of rain is particularly small, being only 17.8 inches. 
February 1826. 
VOL, XIV, NO. 28. APKIL 1826. 
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