The experiments on the rain-fall in the lake district valleys were commenced in 1844,—the mountain gauges were planted in the spring of 1846,—the hygrometrical observations were instituted at the beginning of the year 1852,—and the entire investigation was brought to a close at the end of the year 1853, when its main objects were considered to have been satisfactorily answered and attained.
The tabular observations and general results of the inquiry up to the close of the year 1850, were communicated to the Royal Society of London in four papers, which are published in the Philosophical Transactions of that body. The fifth and concluding paper (comprising the observations, &c. for the years 1851—53 inclusive) I have now the honour to present to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.