86 
MR. J. F. MILLER ON THE METEOROLOGY OF THE LAKE 
SO that we may fairly assume the combined results to be indicative of a physical law, 
so far at least as relates to the particular locality in question. Thus, in twenty-one 
months, 
The Valley . . 
160 feet above the sea, has received 
170'55 inches. 
8tye Head . . . 
. 1290 
55 5 ’ 
18574 „ 
Seatollar Common 
. 1334 
?5 
180-23* „ 
Sparkling Tam 
. 1900 
35 33 
207-91 
Great Gable . . 
. 2925 
55 35 
136-98 
Sea Fell .... 
. 3166 
55 55 
128-15 
An apparent exception to this law occurs in the gauge stationed at Brant Rigg, about 
midway between the top of Stye Head and the vale of Wastdale, at an estimated 
height of 500 feet above the sea, and which in last year has received about one- 
eighth, or twelve and three quarters per cent, less rain than the valley. This is the 
only one of the gauges situated on the slope of a mountain ; it is on the windward 
side, and I imagine that in such a position, eddies or counter currents are produced 
in windy weather, which cause a less quantity of water to be deposited in the instru- 
ment than is due to the elevation. We know^ that all sloping roofs, from the same 
cause, materially diminish the receipts of rain-gauges. 
It will be observed that the amount of water received by the Seatollar gauge is 
invariably less than the deposit in the adjacent vale of Seathwaite, and the deficiency 
is pretty equable in every month of the year. I am unable to give any satisfactory 
reason for this apparent anomaly, or to account for the very great excess of rain in 
this valley over all others in the lake districts. As the gauge on Seatollar is two or 
three miles distant in a direct line from the others, the near approach of its receipts 
to the Stye Head gauge, about the same elevation, is rather remarkable. In 1846 
the Seatollar exceeded the Stye gauge in quantity, which it should do if the assumed 
height be correct. 
By referring to the table for the summer months, we find that between the 1st of 
May and the 31st of October, the gauge at 1290 feet has obtained nearly twelve per 
cent, more rain than the valley; at 1334 feet, nine and a half per cent, more; at 
1900 feet, twenty-nine per cent, more; at 2928 feet, seven and a half per cent, less-, 
and at 3100 feet, thirteen and a half per cent, less than the valley. 
In the winter months (November to April inclusive) the gauge at 1290 feet has 
received four and a half per cent, more than the valley, and at 1334 feet exactly the 
same quantity as the valley; at 1900 feet, eleven and a quarter per cent, more; at 
2928 feet, thirty-eight and a half percent, less ; and at 3100 feet, forty-two and a half 
per cent, less than the valley. The difference in the proportion to the valley between 
the summer and winter half-year, as shown in the tables, is rather startling. When 
much snow falls, doubtless a considerable proportion is lost to the instrument, either 
* The height of Seatollar Common has not been correctly ascertained. 
