Temperature. 39 



will not only live, but flourish and bring forth fruit 

 abundantly, and experience has clearly shown that 

 this is only to be found within the tropics. It is 

 not, however, to be understood that a high tempe- 

 rature is required in order that the most favourable 

 conditions may be brought about. What is neces- 

 sary is a climate characterized by neither extreme 

 of heat or cold, and possessing a fair amount of 

 humidity all the year round. 



If invited to be more precise, I would specify 

 60 and 80 degrees of Fahrenheit in the shade as 

 the limits of temperature ; and with regard to 

 humidity, I would stipulate that there should be no 

 month in the year entirely without rainfall, and that 

 from 100 to 150 inches should be distributed 

 throughout the twelve. 



At an elevation of between 4000 and 5000 feet 

 above sea-level, in Ceylon, one sees, supposing the 

 situation to be not unduly exposed to wind, fields 

 of dark, ever-green, luxuriant coffee-trees, so well 

 clothed with foliage that not a square yard of bare 

 ground is visible for acres. Such situations have 

 what may fairly be called an exceedingly humid 

 climate : probably hardly a week passes without 

 rainfall, while at certain seasons this occurs without 

 intermission for weeks together ; even after a fair 

 bright noon^day a dense white mist will frequently 

 settle down towards evening, wrapping all in ob- 



