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two-tWrds of it projects in the form of a peninsula into an ocean 

 or expanse of water that is bounded on the West by the shores of 

 distant Africa, on the South-East by Australia, and on the South 

 by the Antarctic ocean, there is an individuality about the country 

 which differentiates it from all other countries except Africa and 

 South America. 



While there is a very great diversity of language, customs, 

 and physical characteristics of the numerous races and tribes that 

 inhabit India, there is one point of similarity all over this large 

 country, and that is the existence of two more or less clearly 

 defined rainy seasons ; and this renders it possible to construct, out 

 of the tables of rainfall, a series of iso-brochetal lines, or lines of 

 equal rainfall, which to a certain extent, and where the physical 

 features of the country do not interfere, show a fairly regular 

 progression from West to East. 



Broadly speaking, there are two distinct rainy seasons, each 

 with a monsoon or fixed prevailing wind of its own, and this 

 characteristic is specially noticeable in the peninsula. From May 

 or June till the end of August the wind blows from the west, and 

 copious rain falls, and from October to December the direction of 

 the wind is from the east, and the rainfall is equally great, while 

 the period between the two monsoons is characterised by com- 

 parative dryness, heat, and absence of moisture in the wind. At 

 the beginning of the year rainfall is almost suspended, the winds 

 being in a transitional stage. In the south the N.E. monsoon is 

 over, and no more rain can be looked for for some months ; the 

 barometric depression, towards which the monsoon winds were 

 blowing, has travelled Southwards, but a new depression is forming 

 in the mountain lands west of the Indus, and light and slightly 

 damp Southerly winds are working up towards the centre of the 

 depression ; slight rain falls, and after each rain there comes 

 a wave of high barometric pressure, bringing with it cool but dry 

 N.W. winds, which are the feature of that cool season which is 

 restricted to Northern India. 



In the South the temperature rapidly rises and creates a great 

 indraft from the sea all round the coast. 



Now take the next three months. While more than half 

 India above lat. 1 6° has but a rainfall of 3" or less, the rainfall is 

 increasing on the slopes of the Himalaya, on the N.E. coast, 

 and to some extent on the hills and table-lands of the Madras 

 Presidency. The rain-area is working round from the North to 

 the East, driving the contours of 2" further Westward. Bombay 

 is still practically rainless, and the wind coming in from the 

 hot plains of Beluchistan, and sweeping over Sind and Cutch, 

 penetrates into Central India, blowing in March and April right 

 into the province of Bengal. But here they meet the Chota 



