COUNCIL FOR 1899. 
XV 
than that of the previous year. The heaviest fall was on the 
nth of May, when 1*200 inches fell. Thunder was heard on 
12 days, as compared with 10 in ’98 and 7 in '97. May was 
the wettest month of the year with a fall of 3*68 inches, whilst 
August, usually our wettest month, produced only *91 inches, 
and thus was the driest month of the year. The cumulative 
totals since 1841 now amount to :—August 159*32 inches, 
October 157*73 inches, and July 153*68 inches. 
The height of the Ouse, as registered by the automatic 
recorder at the Guildhall, York, appears to have been highest 
in 1899 on January 22nd, on which day at 5 p.m. the river 
was 12ft. Sin. above summer level. There was considerable 
flood-water in the river during the middle of February, and 
again in April and May. During the four months, June- 
September, however, was very low, being below summer level 
practically from June 26th to September 16th. Much water 
came down the river during the early days of November, but 
during the latter half of that month and nearly to the end of 
December the river was little above summer level. It might 
he interesting to trace a connection between the height of the 
river and the general health of the city. During the previous 
3’ear the highest level was 9ft. gin. (Oct. 19th). 
In 1899 two gifts of some interest and utility have been 
made to the Meteorological department of the Museum Mr. 
R. Thompson has presented a self-registering Barograph, the 
sinuous curves of which are faithful records of barometric 
readings, which would otherwise be lost. And by the co¬ 
operation of Mr. George Crawhall and Mr. R. Thompson 
sufficient funds have been collected to erect upon the Museum 
a self-registering Anemometer. It is much to be regretted 
that this increase of local interest in meteorological observa¬ 
tions should coincide with the loss of the grant from the 
Meteorological Office. 
Observatory. —The thanks of the Society are due to Mr. 
Scott, who has spent a considerable amount of time and 
trouble on the equatorial and transit telescopes and has 
brought both instruments into a satisfactory working con¬ 
dition. Steps will shortly be taken to warm the Observatory 
so as to counteract the effects of damp. 
