318 MR. H. H. W. PEARSON ON THE 
On the eastern slopes of the main ridge up which, a3 has been 
seen, the patanas extend to the highest elevations, very different 
conditions have resulted in the formation of a type of patana 
differing considerably from those of the lower plains of Uva, and 
upon which a considerable aeeumulation of humus has taken 
place. The patana and forest here exist side by side under con- 
ditions which, as far as can be ascertained, are absolutely 
identical ; and the only conceivable. explanation of the existence 
of patanas above 5000 feet is that they have arisen upon ground 
which has been cleared of forest by grass-fires. And that this 
is the true explanation there can be little doubt, when the effect 
of recent fires upon the edge of the forest is observed. 
The rainfall above 5000 feet is not only much larger than in 
Uva, but is also evenly distributed over the year, so that there 
is no dry season to aet upon the areas which have been bared 
of forest. At Hakgala, which probably has a smaller rainfall 
than any other patana-distriet above 5000 feet, the annual 
fall is about 90 inches, and there are annually 202 rainy days 
whieh are evenly distributed over the year, as is shown 
in the two upper lines of the following table, whieh give the 
averages of :— 
1. The monthly rainfall ; 
2. The number of rainy days in the month, eomputed from 
the records of the Hakgala Meteorological Station for 
15 years (1582-1896). 
degrees Fahr. 
degrees Fahr. 
| lalalalalala | ` 
Ini E| le |e) Plea) os | E g E 
KB Al 2 3l Z ó "ai Al S 
Rainfall ......... 812 297 467 T18 771)7:33 588 448 5:75, 1055 1067 | 1498 | 90°78 
| | | | 
| | |16 20) 19 | 18 | 18 | 93 | 90 | 22 | 207 
= | | | | 
Rainy days ...... 16 | 9 | 10 | 16. 
Mean Air | | | | 
temp. im || 597/633 636 645 66-2 626) 63 621 038 612 
615 | 599 
range in 
Mean daily | 
13:9 i 7 15:5 147 10 | 11-7) 11:3 
| 
|| 
| 
| 
|^ 97| 104 | 88 
| 
| 
The humidity of the air is thus considerable and aconstant. 
