182 SOLAE CHANGES OF TEMPERATURE. 



-,„„,„_ T^ .^^., ... /Madras famineKio^r <,«x 

 18b3-b4— 11 = 1852-58, Madras famine (1854). 



It is clear from the above table that if as much had been known in 

 1830 as we know now, the probability of famines at all the subsequent 

 dates indicated in the above tables might have been foreseen. 



The region of time from which the above results have been obtained 

 extended from 1877 to 1886. The next table will show that if the 

 dates, instead of being carried back, are carried forward, the same 

 principle enables us to pick up the famines which have devasted India 

 during the period 1886-1897. 



Same intervals, going forivard. 



1880. 

 +11 1891, N.W.P. famine (1890). 

 Madras famine i 

 Bombay famine 1(1891-92). 

 Bengal famine, J 

 (1885-86). 

 +11 1896-97, General famine. 



This result has arisen, so far as w^e can see, from the fact that the + 

 and — pulses included in the period 1877-1886 were normal — that is, 

 were not great departures from the average. 



NILE FLOODS. 



After we had obtained the above results relating to the law followed 

 b}^ the Indian famines we communicated with the Egyptian authorities 

 with a view of ol^taining data for the Nile Valley. 



We have since fou.nd, however, from a memorandum by Mr. Eliot, ^ 

 that Mr. Willcocks, in a paper read at the Meteorological Congress at 

 Chicago, remarked that "" famine years in India are generally years of 

 low flood in Egypt." 



It remains only for us, therefore, to point out that the highest Niles 

 follow the years of the + and — pulses. Thus: 



1871, one year after + pulse 1870. 



1876, two years after subsidiary pulse of 1874. 



1879, two years after — pulse 1877. 



1883-84, one and two years after + pulse 1882. 



1893-94, after ^ pulse 1892 (India excess rainfall, 1892-9.3-94). 



THE GKEAT INDIAN FAMINE OF 185>9. 



When, in a sun-spot cycle, the solar temperature is more than 

 usually increased the regularity of the above effects is liable to be 

 broken as the advent of the — pulse is retarded. 



^ Forecast of southwest monsoon rains of 1900. 



