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10
METEOROLOGY.
The meteorological conditions for the year 1879 were remarkable
for their variability; thus low temperatures were recorded
every month in the year, the average temperature for the year being
46.2 Fahrenheit, or 3.3 degrees below the average of the previous
38 years. The month of December was colder than any December
known in this country, the mean temperature of the month being
67 degrees below the average.
The mean of the barometrical values for the year were almost
identical with the average of the 38 preceding years, but the
readings for the first nine months were below, and for the latter
three months above, the average.
The rainfall was above the average—viz., 29.0 inches, the falls
during the second and third quarters of the year being remarkably
excessive.
During the year only 983 hours of bright sunshine were
recorded at Greenwich, against 1,250 hours in the previous year.
I need scarcely say that the fogs during the year were
remarkable for their frequency, continuance, and intensity.
WATER ANALYSIS.
In the following tables I have stated the analyses of the New
River Company's water made monthly, and recorded by me during
the year.