Periodicity of Rainfall

Abstract

MY attention has been recalled to the letter (vol. viii. p. 547) of my old friend Mr. Meldrum, dated Sept. 15 last, upon the above subject, by its recent republication in a Barbados newspaper. I had intended at the time to examine whether his objections to my statements were valid, but absence from the island and other occupations interfered. On reperusing his letter, I perceive that he notices a disagreement between my figures and those given by Mr. Symons, which requires to be explained, and I take the opportunity of endeavouring to remove his doubts with regard to the correctness of my results. Mr. Symons's annual averages for 1843–61 were drawn from one station, or rather from two; from Fairfield for the years 1843–46, and from Halton, a station nearly three miles distant, and having twice the elevation, for the rest of the period. My averages were taken for the first four years from the same single station, the only record then in existence, and from a varying number of stations during the other years.