DISSOLVED MATTER CONTAINED IN RAIN-WATER. 



139' 



thought better to continue the monthly analyses for a few years 

 longer. In consequence of this, the samples collected during 1887 

 were not examined until the beginning of the present year. The 

 effect produced on the nitrogenous compounds, by keeping the 

 water, will be referred to when the results are considered. 



The position of Lincoln with regard to the sea has considerable 

 influence on the results obtained in the case of chlorine and 

 sulphuric anhydride. It is situated about live miles to the 

 westward of the hills forming Banks' Peninsula, at an elevation 

 of about sixty-two feet above sea level, and is nearly midway 

 between the sea coasts north and south of the Peninsula. A line 

 drawn in a north-east direction, would meet the sea at a distance 

 of about eighteen miles, while one drawn towards the south-west 

 would reach it in about twenty miles, and in doing so would pass 

 over Lake Ellesmere and its adjoining flats. 



The greater portion of the rain received at Lincoln is accom- 

 panied by winds blowing from one or the other of these points, 

 and is consequently liable to contamination from sea spray, whicli, 

 as is well known, is often carried for a considerable distance 

 inland. 



The rainfall of Lincoln recorded since the establishment of the 

 School, together with that of Christchurch, which is about 

 fourteen miles distant, is shewn hereunder :^ 



Table I. — ^Rainpall of Canterbury. 



For the Christchurch results we are indebted to Mr. J. B. 

 Stansell, late Government Meteorological Observer, who gives 

 the average annual rainfall for twenty-four years, 1864 to 1887 

 inclusive, as 25.288 inches, with a maximum annual fall in 1886 

 of 41.81 inches, and a minimum in 1878 of 13.540 inches. 

 Generally speaking, therefore, as far as the results at pre.sent 

 shew, the rainfall of Lincoln is above that of Christchurch. 



It is advisable here perhaps to give a brief outline of the 

 analytical methods employed, although they are all such as are in 



