Professor Fournet's Researches on Zones without Bain. 361 



generated ; the blood is made to circulate more rapidly, and 

 is sent in larger quantity into the extremities, and where, in 

 consequence, the excess of heat is conveyed and expended, 

 and its accumulation in the central and deep-seated organs 

 prevented, affording another striking example of harmonious 

 adaptation. 



The same thermometer was employed in making all the ob- 

 servations described in the paper ; and in every instance, in 

 stating the results, allowance has been made for error in its 

 graduation, carefully determined by comparison with a stand- 

 ard instrument, one belonging to Professor Forbes of Edin- 

 burgh, and for the use of which I have been indebted to his 

 kindness. 



The Oaks, Ambleside, 

 Nov. 1. 1843. 



Researches on the Situation of Zones without Rain, and of Be-r 

 serts. By M. J. Fournet, Professor in the Faculty of 

 Sciences of Lyons. 



In the present state of science, meteorologists distinguish 

 various zones, more or less exactly parallel to the equator, and 

 subject to as many distinct laws, with reference to the mode 

 of distribution of rain according to the seasons. We proceed 

 to make these known, premising, once for all, that in this pre- 

 liminary statement, as well as in the whole of the memoir, we 

 shall invariably retain for the seasons of both hemispheres the 

 name which they receive in ours. Thus, for example, the 

 summer will be regarded as composed of the months of June, 

 July, and August, and the winter of the months of December, 

 January, and February, whatever part of the globe may be 

 under consideration. This definition was necessary, both be- 

 cause the epochs of dryness of the southern hemisphere are 

 the humid epochs of the northern hemisphere, or conversely ; 

 and because the expressions intended to define the seasons 

 become complicated by other local denominations, which, not 

 being very precise, contribute to various ambiguities that are 

 but too frequent in the narratives of travellers. 



