on the z2oth, both at Chao-chuang. The month was comparatively dry, 
though thunderstorms occurred at Chao-chuang on the 3rd and 4th, and at 
Tou-fu-sst, a temple, in the hills north-west of T’ai-yiian Fu on the 27th, 
28th and 29th. The last three storms were accompanied by very heavy rain, 
and the Fén Ho rose several feet and became unfordable. Thunderstorms were 
also noted from Chao-chuang in the mountains to the north-west on the 18th, 
and to the south-west on the 19th. Rain, varying from a few drops to gentle 
steady showers, was recorded on seven other days during the second half of 
the month. The amount was not registered. 
The presence of wind of varying degrees of strength was recorded on 
seventeen days, from the I2th to the end of the month. Previous to this 
hardly any weather notes were made. A strong gust of wind, accompanied 
by dust, and lasting only half an hour almost demolished the camp on the r1th. 
On the 12th, strong wind, accompanied by dust, blew from the north-west 
during the greater part of the day. On the 18th, a heavy wind from the 
north-east blew for a few hours. The direction of the wind was usually from 
the north-east or north-west, though it also blew at one time or another from 
the east, south, south-west and west. 
Cloud formations of all kinds, except nimbus, were recorded, though 
cumulus and cirrus were the most frequent. No connections between the 
various cloud formations, and the humidity or dryness of the air could be 
established. 
July, 1908. T’ai-yiian Fu (Altitude 2600 ft.) and neighbourhood. 
Half of July was spent in camp at Chao-chuang, and the rest of the 
month in T’ai-yiian Fu. During this time observations were taken from three 
to eight times daily; whilst detailed notes on the very varied weather were 
kept. 
July and August may be considered the rainy season of North China, and 
the present month was no exception to the rule. Rain more or less heavy fell 
on eight days, and thunderstorms occurred on four others. Thunderstorms 
occurred in the surrounding hills on five days. The total rainfall for the 
month was over 6°29 inches, the rain that fell on the third not having been 
recorded. 
The heaviest rain fell on the 18th, when 3°66 inches in 24 hours was 
recorded. 
The highest barometrical reading was taken on the 7th, and the lowest 
on the rgth and 22nd, when 27.09 inches and 26°67 inches respectively were 
138 
