146 Account of Harris. 



CUmatc.^^The climate of Harris may be said, in a general 

 sense, to be extremely varied ; for a great part cold and boiste- 

 rous, with a very large quantity of rain, and but little snow, 

 considering its high latitude *. Spring commences about the 

 20th of March, when the first shoots of grass make their ap- 

 pearance, and the Draba verna begins to unfold its small white 

 blossoms. It is not until the end of May that the pasture- 

 grounds liave fairly exchanged the grey and sad livery of winter 

 for the green and lively hue of summer. From the beginning 

 of July to the end of August may be considered as the summer 

 season, when the sandy pasture-grounds of the west coast and 

 islands are decorated with the most diversified hues. The end 

 of October terminates the autumnal season. The rest is winter. 

 During the whole spring season easterly winds prevail ; at first 

 interrupted by blasts from other quarters, accompanied with 

 sleet or rain, but, as the season advances, becoming more steady, 



words, " offers a strong example of the necessity which the geologist is under 

 of taking nothing on trust, and of concluding nothing from inductions, when 

 the evidence of contact can be obtained." — Western Islands, vol. i. p. 143. 



• We have as yet no data for ascertaining the temperature of any portion 

 of the Outer Hebrides. It would scarcely interfere with the labours of the 

 clergy there, to pay some little attention to the natural phenomena around 

 them, nor would they be acting more inconsistently with their character in 

 marking the indications of a barometer or thermometer, than in attending 

 to their cows, and superintending the cultivation of their farms. I am not 

 certain that there ever was a thermometer in Harris, excepting an unfortu- 

 nate one which I carried there in 1820, and which one of the fair natives 

 broke to pieces, with the view of appropriating its envelope as a needle case, 

 before I had made any other use of it than ascertaining the temperature of a 

 few springs, which I found to be as follows : 



