46 
Downs divide the county of Sussex into two meteorological districts 
of unequal sizes, and having perfectly distinct climates. Starting from 
Salisbury Plain, these hills ran in an easterly direction through Wilt- 
shire and Hampshire, and, on reaching this county, were about 10 
miles distant from the coast ; they continued for a distance of about 
45 miles, gradually approaching nearer to the sea, until they terminated 
in the bold headland of Beachy Head. Their average height was 
about five hundred feet, though some of the chief summits reached 
eight hundred feet. ‘The first district formed by the Downs was that 
to their south, which might be termed the coast district, and over 
which the rain clouds passed, depositing only part of their moisture, 
but, being attracted by the Downs, their vapour was condensed, and 
falling in the second or inland district—the weald of Sussex—largely 
increased its fertility. So great indeed was the effect of the Downs 
that the rainfall was from 25 to 50 per cent, more on the north side 
than on the south. At West Thorney, near Emsworth, which was on 
the coast, the mean rainfall for the last ten years was 26°87 inches, 
while at West Dean, which is in the Downs, it was 37°08 inches, and 
at Bepton, a village more to the north, the amount was about three 
inches more. Lynch, near Midhurst, appeared to be the most rainy 
spot in the county, but as only two or three years’ observations had 
been made there, the average could not be ascertained ; but it might 
be remarked that last year, when the total at Brighton was 25°25 
inches, at Lynch it was 37°72 inches, or somewhat over 50 per cent, 
more. Proceeding further eastward, on comparing the rainfall of 
Worthing, the influence of the Downs was found to be most marked, 
At Worthing the mean of the last three years was 23-88 inches, and at 
Steyning was 34°25, or very nearly 50 per cent. more, A gauge placed 
- near the foot of Chanctonbury Hill would very probably record a very 
great rainfall, 
At Brighton (Buckingham Place) the mean of the last three years 
was 25°39 inches, and at Glynde 30.69 inches, which is 20 per cent, 
more ; and at Beachy Head the mean of three years was 21°82 inches, 
whilst at Eastbourne it was 27°40 inches, The influence of the Downs 
was thus distinctly shown, and it was found that the greatest influence 
was in the western part of the county. Whether this arose from the 
increased width of the Downs in that part, or whether the rainfall was 
increased by the rain cloud having a greater distance of land to 
traverse before reaching the Downs, was uncertain. The north-western 
a 
