432 The Rev. H. Lloyd on the Meteorolog>j of Ireland. 



From the mean results of the preceding Table, we learn that the diurnal 

 range is greater at the inland than at the coast stations, the mean excess being 

 2-8 degrees. The excess is greater in summer than in winter, being 3°'3 in the 

 former, and 2°'4 in the latter season. 



"We are now in a position to refer to one, at least, of the practical inferences 

 which may be deduced from the preceding results. 



The climatological conditions connected with temperature, which favour 

 the prevention or cure of diseases of the lungs, are, firstly, a high winter tem- 

 perature ; and secondly, a small amount of diurnal range. It has been already 

 stated that Ireland is well circumstanced as to these conditions ; let us now in- 

 quire which is its most favourable region as respects them. 



The months of lowest temperature in Ireland, and which are on that 

 account the most trying to the patients above alluded to, are those of 

 December, January, February, and March. During these months the mean 

 temperature varies very little, the mean range at Dublin being from 41°*7, in 

 January, to 45°-4, iu March, or only 3-7 degrees. Now the mean direction of 

 the isothermal lines for these four months is N. 37" W. ; so that the highest 

 mean temperature for these months is to be found on the sovith-western coast, 

 not far'from Valentia. 



The second condition above mentioned, although not frequently taken into 

 account, is, perhaps, still more important. In proof of this it may be men- 

 tioned that in Norway, which is remarkable for the small amount of the diurnal 

 range of temperature, consumption is uncommon, even in the highest latitudes ; 

 while in parts of Sweden, where this condition does not hold, it is very 

 prevalent. Now, we learn from Table xi., that among the stations at which 

 observations were made in 1851, the winter diurnal range of temperature is 

 least at Cahirciveen. Both conditions, therefore, point to the south-western 

 coast of Kerry as the region in Ireland most favourable to patients affected with 

 these formidable maladies. 



I am not in possession of any statistical data bearing upon this question, 

 and am therefore unable to say how far the conclusion thus drawn is borne out 

 bv facts. 



