in thickness, which were evidently laid in shallow seas. Their great thickness was attained by the rapid and long-continued subsidence of the sea bottom, at a time when the crust was thin, and the contraction of the interior from the radiation of heal was progressing more rapidly than afterwards.
Volcanic phenomena have also changed in respect of the amount of igneous rock erupted. which is much less now than in early geological periods. This change would be the natural result of a thickening of the crust, and the consequently increased distance through which the molten matter has to pass before it reaches the surface.
The question is being inch discussed by geologists at the present lime, owing to the evidence which recent researches in the Arctic regions have furnished of a temperate or sub-tropical vegetation having flourished there in recent geological periods, which can only be satisfactorily explained by a change in the geographical position of the poles. Such a change would result from the displacement of the axis of figure under the process of cooling referred to in this paper, and its readjustment to the axis of rotation by the rotatary force.
Meteorology of the Midlands.
The Weather of June, 1878.
By W. J. Harrison, F.G.S.
The wet period which caused such an excess of rainfall in May continued until the middle of June. About the 18th of the latter month. However, (Waterloo day,) a welcome change set in. The continuous rains ceased, and the temperature rose steadily until on the 26th and 27th it exceeded 90° at several stations. From one or two places returns of 95° and upwards have reached us, but these can scarcely be true shade temperatures, Unless the thermometers are placed in a clear and open space, at a fair distance from walls, &c., and thoroughly screened by double louvres both from the sun’s direct and reflected rays, their indications are not to be relied upon. The solar radiation thermometer (black bulb in vacuum) indicated 142° at Leicester, on the 23rd; 141° on the 2ist and 26th: and 150° at Spondon, on the 26th.
The effect of the heat and direct sunshine of the lust ten or twelve days of June upon the crops was great end immediate. Wheat and barley changed from a sickly yellow to a deep green. The grass crops are very promising. and in the orchards there is every prospect of an abundant crop of apples, pears, and plums.
During this hot period thunderstorms were frequent and violent, and produced heavy fills of rain in a short time. At Stroud 1in. fell in an hour, on the 17th; More Rectory, 1.05in, in 1½ hours, on the 8th; Lardon Hall, .55 in 1 hour, on 8th; .42 in 80 minutes, on 23rd; Stokesay, .77 in 45 minutes, on 8th; Burton, .24 in 15 minutes, on 26th; Weston-under-Lyziard, .77 in 45 minutes on 29th; Tamworth, 1.61 in 8 hours, on 29th; Henley-in-Arden, 1.27 in 20 minutes, on 26th; Stuffynwood Hall, .24 in 30 minutes, on 26th; Sedgebrook, 12.3 in 3 hours, on 26th; Northampton, 1.25 in 50 minutes, on 26th; Bishop’s Castle, .84 in 45 minutes, on 8th: Cheltenham, .39 in 20 minutes, on 23rd, The importance to engineers and others of a knowledge of these heavy falls of short duration is obvious, as the sewers, watercourses, &c., are often totally inadequate to cope with such emergencies.
Natural History notes are few this month. but from Burton Mr. Tripp reports lime in flower on 6th, and wild rose on 10th.
