20, 3 Schenck: Physiography and Geology of Samar 239 
be seen, therefore, that even to-day climate is playing an im- 
portant part in the erosion of Samar. 
Another physiographic feature due to this excessive precipita- 
tion is the coastal plain on the east coast. It has been noted 
that the rainfall there is slightly in excess of that on the west 
coast ; consequently, more sediment is carried down by the rivers, 
thereby making the plains wider. The excess of rainfall on the 
east side of the island is due to the fact that the water-laden 
winds from the Pacific meet Samar as first land, so that these 
winds lose most of their moisture there; but, unlike Luzon, 
the northeasterly winds carry much rain to the west coast. 
The temperature of Samar, as recorded at stations situated 
near the sea, has an annual normal of about 26.5° C. or 
about 0.4° C. below the mean annual temperature of the entire 
Archipelago.‘ The relation between temperature and ocean cur- 
rents and rains is far closer than that between temperature and 
physiography. The same probably holds true with respect to 
cloudiness and relative humidity. I noticed little difference 
between the temperature in the interior and that along the 
coast, although places at elevations of more than 200 meters 
were reached. The diurnal variation was most noticeable at 
Matuguinao, 
Physiography, rainfall, and typhoons are interrelated. A 
large proportion of the typhoons of moderate to destructive 
Severity that cross the Philippines pass over Samar, and my 
observations there incline me strongly to the belief that typhoons 
aid erosion to no small degree. 
A review of the relations between physiography and climate 
indicates that on Samar, at least, topography is the resultant 
of climate, and that climate does not entirely depend upon to- 
pography, although the two are closely related. Corrosion and 
corrasion of this island proceed at a maximum rate because of 
the wide distribution of heavy rainfall. 
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND VEGETATION 
Persons journeying across Samar Island are seldom able to 
see the country lying before them—a vista shows only another 
Wooded hill ahead. As a matter of fact, this seems to hold 
true for the entire island except, perhaps, in the shale hills, 
where the vegetation is either secondary or less dense, or where 
deforestation has taken place. The trees are smaller on the 
“Coronas, Rev. José, S. J., op. cit. 296-341. 
