342 , Xa^eteorologg, 



6bliged to keep within doors more than is agreeable. 

 Several such intervals will generally be found, in which one 

 may stroll about without risk of suffering from showers. 



In the months of August and September, the weather is 

 with us much more settled than in July ; and then day after 

 day, and often week after week the tourist may calculate on 

 a succession of rambles without interruption. 



We are aware, by the results obtained from the observa- 

 tions of the late Dr. Miller, of Whitehaven, of the amazing 

 depth of rain which falls on some of the Lake mountains. 

 The annual average quantity of rain in many parts of the 

 south of England does not exceed 20 inches, and sometimes 

 does not reach even that amount ; but it was shewn by these 

 observations, that in 1852, 81 inches were measured on Sea- 

 fell Pike; at Great Gable 86; at Sty Head 124; at Seath- 

 waite, Borrowdale, 156; and at Sprinkling Tarn 168 inches 

 nearly. The mean rainfall for England is about 30 inches. 

 The annual average at Kendal, in the south of the district, 

 is 52 inches. This town and Keswick had, before these 

 observations by Dr. Miller, been considered the wettest 

 places known in England. Notwithstanding these great 

 differences in the quantity of rain, the number of rainy days 

 is not in the same ratio, there being no very great difference 

 between the wettest locality and one in a much drier district. 

 In several other parts of England, they have a greater number 

 of days on which rain falls than in these where the quantity 

 is so extraordinary. There are however places in the 

 Tropics, where the annual quantity amounts to 200 and 

 even 300 inches. In a district of Hindostan, N.E. of Cal- 

 cutta, Dr. Hooker states that, in one month, 264 inches were 

 measured ; and more than 600 is the annual fall there ! In 

 comparison with these, how trifling is that of 20 or even 50 

 inches in the year. In Provence, in the south of France, 



