ART. V. Natural History in Ireland. CORK Tree (Quercus Suber) at Sammerstown. I send you a sketch (fig. 20.) of a remarkable cork tree now growing at Sammerstown, the residence of Daniel Sweeny, Esq., in the vicinity of this city. I have not been able to ascertain at what date, or by whom, it was planted; but, from the size of the elms (some of them 12 ft. in circumference) and other trees growing near it, and probably planted at the same time, I should suppose the cork tree to be several centuries old. That it must have been a remarkable tree several generations since, is proved by the fact of the proprietor at that time, when about to let the lands on which the tree stands, having introduced a clause in the lease, by which the tenant incurred a penalty of 201. if he cut down or injured the tree. The following are the dimensions of the trunk and principal branches: Girth of the trunk at 3 ft. from the ground, 8 ft. 10 in.; height of the trunk before it divides, 9 ft.; girth of each of the two principal branches, 6 ft. 10 in.; girth of the second-rate branches, 5 ft. 4 in.; horizontal diameter, or spread, of the head, measuring from the extremities of the branches, 36 ft.; thickness of the cork and outer bark on the trunk, 3 in. I am, Sir, yours, &c.-James Drummond. Cork Botanic Garden, Dec. 9. 1828. ART. VI. Perennial Calendar. We are here enabled to lay before our readers three journals of the weather and calendars of nature, which, whether considered separately or comparatively, are full of interest and instruction. ENGLAND. Journal of the Weather kept at Wycombe, Bucks, Lat. 51° 37′ 44′′ North; Long. 34′ 45′′ West, during the Year 1828, with Monthly Observations. By James Tatem, Esq., Member of the London Meteorological Society. Table of Thermometer and Barometer. 44.80 51.42 21.32 56.73 19 26 72.75 July 58.28 19.28 76 56.19 17.80 74 September 54.95 October 46.95 18.70 85 47.75 19.70 74 23.50 38.78 15.28 52.50 23.50 29.67 January. An extraordinary quantity of rain fell during the month, upwards of three times as much as in January 1827, and very considerably more than for the eleven last years. The mean temperature was higher than since 1817, but the mean height of the barometer was above that of last year, in the corresponding month, notwithstanding the excess of rain. Snow fell on the 11th and 15th; the whole together about 3 in. in depth, Thunder heard and lightning seen about two o'clock in the morning of the 18th. The evaporation 0*05625 of an inch. February. The mean temperature was above that of the last year, and the maximum higher than observed by the journalist, in the month of February, for twelve years. The mean height of the barometer lower than since 1823, in the same month, but the range greater than for some years; snow fell on four different days, and the whole amounted to 8 in. in depth; the quantity of rain and melted snow 1'475 in., of which about & of an inch was from the latter. A lunar halo, with misty area, seen about ten o'clock on the 28th. The evaporation 0.03125 of an inch. March. This month was remarkably dry, and, about the middle, very warm for the season; the mean temperature above that of last year which was higher than usual. The mean height of the barometer was also above that of March last year. The quantity of rain very considerably less than in any corresponding month since 1822. Some little snow fell on the night of the 28th, but was soon melted. Thunder heard on the 22d and 23d, and a rainbow seen, on the fourth, about five P. M. The evaporation O'14375 of an inch. April. Rain fell on twenty different days, between the 3d and 25th, after which the barometer rose, and the weather became fine; the quantity of rain greater than since April 1818, and, as might have been expected, the temperature and barometer were both low. The mean of the thermometer lower than for the last four years, while the mean of the barometer was below that of any year, in the same month, since 1821. An indistinct lunar halo, with misty area, seen on the 28th about nine P. M. The evaporation O'25625 of an inch. May. The range of the thermometer not so great as in May last year, but the mean temperature was 115227 higher. The barometer was also higher, although below the usual average of May. In the latter part of the month, there was much dull and heavy weather. On the 27th half an inch of rain fell, yet the whole quantity was less than in 1827. The maximum of heat occurred on the 16th, on the evening of which some little lightning was seen in the north and north-east. The evaporation 0·6625 of an inch. June. The mean temperature was above the average of the month, and considerably higher than in June last year, though not so high as in 1826. The mean elevation of the barometer partook of the same character. The quantity of rain more than since 1824. Lightning seen on the 16th and thunder heard on the following day. The evaporation 086875 of an inch. July. The quantity of rain remarkably great, exceeding that of July in any one year, since 1823 (on the 9th upwards of 14 in. fell in the course of the day); the temperature was consequently low, the maximum being beneath those of the last six years, and the mean lower than since 1823; the barometer was also much depressed, the mean lower than since 1822. Thunder heard on the 8th, 14th, and 26th, and lightning seen on the 3d. evaporation only 0.28125 of an inch. The August. The month, like August in last year, was cold, the temperature being extremely low, the maximum never reaching summer heat and the range very small; the barometer was also low, and the quantity of rain greater than what has fallen at Wycombe, in any one month, for the last six years; the wind chiefly from the west and south west. Thunder heard on the 3d, and thunder heard and lightning seen on the 6th, and also on the 10th, when the thermometer was only one degree above temperate. The evaporation 0'41875 of an inch. September. Less rain fell than for the Isat three years in September, the whole month warmer, the mean being higher than since 1823. The barometer higher than usual although below the mean, of the corresponding month, in last year, which was remarkably high. Lunar halones, with misty areas, seen on the nights of the 20th and 21st. The night of the 28th was remarkably dark; and about midnight it blew a heavy gale from the south-west. The evaporation 0.33125 of an inch. October. Rain fell on eight days only, and so little has not fallen in this place, in the month of October, for the last six years, the whole quantity was considerably less than half of that which fell in the same month, in 1827. The mean temperature less than since 1823, but the barometer remarkably high during the month, the mean being much above those for many years past. The month might be denominated very fine. The evaporation 0 19375 of an inch. November. So mild, dry, and fine a November has not occurred for many years. The mean temperature higher than since 1824. The mercury much above the average of the month, although the mean did not reach that of last November, but the quantity of rain was less than has been observed by the journalist, during his residence at Wycombe, a period of six years. The evaporation 0.0875 of an inch. December. The month was remarkably warm, the maximum being higher than since 1819, and the mean temperature above that of any one for December in the last twelve years; the barometer has also been very much elevated, the mean being considerably higher than since 1818, and the quantity of rain less, by 24 in., than last year. Thunder heard and lightning seen on the 7th about 12 P. M. and an indistinct lunar halo observed on the night of the 19th. The evaporation 0·075 of an inch. SCOTLAND. Meteorological Table and Calendar of Nature for 1828. Extracted from the Register kept at Annat Garden, Perthshire. N. Lat. 56° 33'; above the Level of the Sea 172 feet. 224 Average of year 29.62 49.5 28.26 142 Observations. It is remarkable that the mean temperature of last season, is within a very small fraction of a degree of the temperature in the ex tremely hot and dry season of 1826: but the mean temperature for 1826, for the vegetating season, was about 20 higher than in 1828, during the same period; the high temperature that prevailed during the winter months of the last season, will account for the approximation of the annual temperature for both years. The fall of rain in 1826 was only 14 in. the half of which fell during the vegetating season. The fall of rain last year was near the ordinary average, and measured 28.26 in., 14 of which fell from the 20th March to the 20th October, which accounts for the general luxuriance of the crops in this country. The mercury, in the barometer, was highest on the 29th October, being on that day 30 Fahr., it was lowest on the 21st March, being at 28.10. Fahr. The warmest day was on June 28; mean heat of that day 67° 5′, extreme heat 77°. The coldest day was on the 12th February; mean temperature of that day 32° greatest cold 28°. The wind blew from the north-east, east, and south-east, 153 days, and from the north-west, west, and southwest 213 days. The only loud gales of wind occurred on the 16th and 17th January from the east, on the 14th February from the east, on the 9th March from the west, on the 24th and 25th September from the west, on the 20th and 27th November from the west, and on the 7th December from the west. Calendar of Nature for 1828, for the Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire. January. Frost prevailed from the commencement of this month till the 17th, though not severe. The Winter Aconite (Eránthis hyemale) appeared above ground on the 19th, and was in flower by the 23d; Snowdrops were in flower on the 31st. The robin red-breast sang regularly from the 18th, and the mavis and blackbird commenced singing on the 28th. February. The temperature for the first ten days averaged 46°; a snow storm prevailed from the 10th to the 28th; the weather from the 18th was mild till the end of the month. The common Mezereon (Daphne Mezèreon) showed its flowers on the 3d, and on that day the field lark commenced singing. Bats were seen flying at Perth on the 5th; partridges began to pair on the 7th; magpies began to build their nests on the 10th, which, on discovering their mistake by a fall of snow, they tore down on the 14th. The male flowers of the hazel (Córylus Avellàna) were developed by the 16th, the Water Saxifrage (Chrysosplènium oppositifòlium was in flower by the 27th. March. In this month there were eleven days of clear sunshine; towards the middle of the mouth the temperature was unusually high. The Saxífraga oppositifòlia, a beautiful little Scottish mountain plant, was in flower at Annat Garden on the 4th; rooks began to build on the 6th; frogs were heard croaking on the evening of the 8th; and the female blossom of the hazel appeared on the 9th; gooseberries were in leaf by the 11th; Moorpark apricots in full flowers on south walls, by the 12th; daffodils and jonquils by the 17th; marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) by the 20th; peaches in flower, on south walls, by the 26th; wild geese beginning to set off in flocks from the Low Carse. April. The temperature was as low as 40°, at the beginning of this month, but rose gradually to a mean of 48° towards the end. The wind blew from the N. E. till the 10th; a circumstance not uncommon in the early part of April, and always accompanied with cold, occasioned, as is supposed, by the winds blowing over the melting snows in the northern parts of Europe. Green gage plums were in flower on walls by the 6th, apricots on standards by the 8th, sloe tree in flower and the whitethorn and larch in leaf by the 10th. Swallows appeared on the 23d, and the maple tree was in leaf by the 24th. |