428 Eighth Annual Report of the 



Block Island and eastern Long Island is 12.2 days later than in 

 the main portion of New York. (Ferrel shows the average retard- 

 ation of maritime, as compared with truly continental climates, 

 to be from twenty to twenty-five days.) 



A gradual modification of these conditions is found in passing 

 from the eastern to the western extremity of Long 'Island. At 

 East Hampton the annual range is already increased to 39.5 de- 

 grees, and at Setauket on the sound, about midway between Brook- 

 lyn and Montauk Point,' the range is 41.5 degrees. 



The sea breeze is an important feature of the summer weather 

 along the south shore, tending to reduce the range of temperature 

 by moderating the* midday heat; but details as to its effect can 

 not be given, as the writer has met with no systematic observa- 

 tions upon the phenomena for this section of the coast. The re- 

 searches of the New England Meteorological Society, confined 

 mainly to the coast of Massachusetts, show that on warm, fair 

 days the sea breeze ** reaches the shore commonly between eight 

 and eleven o'clock in the forenoon, with a velocity of ten or fif- 

 teen, miles per hour, its velocity rapidly diminishing inland. It 

 produces a distinct and agreeable depression of temperature on 

 the coast, 'but the effect is not carried inland as far as the wind 

 €-xtends." 



The breeze commonly penetrates inland about ten miles, but, 

 naturally, to a greater distance when acting with the prevailing 

 •slouthwesterly winds of the coast, while it may be wholly over- 

 come if opposing them. Thus the south shore of Long Island is 

 favorably situated to receive the full benefit of the sea breeze, 

 which should penetrate well into the interior, although gaining 

 considerably in warmth beyond the immediate shore line, as 

 stated above. 



The sandy plains of southern Long Island rise gradually toward 

 a ridge of low hills extending through the center of t!he island 

 nearly from the western to the eastern extremity and which 

 bear a considerable growth of pine timber. The northern side 

 of the island is therefore somewhat sheltered from the force of 

 strong sea winds, which meet with but little Obstruction on the 

 southern shore. 



