in tlie Lake Districts of Cumberland, 47 



of a mile of each other, yet the difference of the receipts in 

 a single month sometimes amounts to half an inch. 



The annexed statement will shew, that the excess is al- 

 ways in favour of the higher gauge, marked No. 1. 



1845. No. 1. No. 2. Diff. 



The current of vapour is apparently only partially decom- 

 posed in passing over a flat, or even an undulating country ; 

 it aims at once at the loftiest heights, passing over the less 

 hilly districts with little diminution of its original weight or 

 volume. But, on reaching the mountain peaks, the sudden 

 change of temperature causes a rapid and continuous conden- 

 sation in the form of vast torrents of rain, whilst compara- 

 tively little descends on the adjacent plains. 



As an instance of the low temperature on our mountain 

 tops, I may mention, that on making the ascent of Skiddaw, 

 on the 5th of September last year, the thermometer on the 

 summit stood| at 41° ; sky overcast, the sun shining out at 

 intervals ; the temperature of the air at the foot of the 

 mountain at 3^ 30"^, was 58°. Snow not unfrequently con- 

 tinues on Sea Fell till the middle or end of June. We remem- 

 ber seeing a patch on the 15th of June 1843 ; and on the 

 neighbouring mountains the air was so intensely cold, that 

 we think it could not be more than two or three degrees above 

 the point of congelation. 



That the rapid increment in the fall in approaching moun- 

 tainous districts is owing to the causes above alluded to, and 

 not to the greater number of wet days, is evident on an in- 



