occurring once throughout the thirty days during which observations were 

 taken. The only signs of moisture were hoar-frosts which occurred every few 

 days. Frequently the temperature was below the freezing point, and the 

 humidity was not always recorded, but strange to say when it was, the difference 

 between the bulbs was never very great. 



From this, one would gather that there was a certain amount of moisture 

 in the atmosphere, but that other conditions prevented the formation of 

 rain clouds. In fact, clouds of any kind were extremely uncommon. 

 The observations were taken in a temple, situated outside the city, not more 

 than three-hundred yards from the Yii-lin Ho, a fair-sized river. The writer 

 can state from previous experience in this district, and along the Ordos border 

 generally, that dew is not infrequent, though rain and snow are very rare, and 

 clouds uncommon. On the other hand scarcely a day passes without steady 

 wind from some direction or other. 



From November 5th to December 5th, wind was recorded every day. 

 The prevailing direction was from the north, the wind being in this quarter 

 fifteen days, in the north-west four and in the north-east three. On only five 

 occasions did it blow from the south, and twice from the west. Once it was 

 recorded as variable. 



On November 19th and 21st, strong wind from the north was recorded, and 

 again from the north-west on the 25th. These brought down quantities of 

 sand, which, being thus driven against the surfaces of buildings and monu- 

 ments in exposed positions, would in time wear away the softer materials used 

 in their construction. On examination, several dagobas, pagodas and monu- 

 ments situated on some high ground to the east of the city, showed much 

 wear on their northern sides, whilst their southern sides — as well as 

 the eastern and western to a less degree — were in good condition, even the 

 pointing of the brick-work remaining intact. From this it is reasonable to 

 assume that the strongest winds which prevail in this district are northerly. 



The barometer, in spite of the lack of rain and clouds, varied considerably 

 from day to day, and even between the two daily readings. The highest reading 

 was 26'88 inches on November 27th, and the lowest was 26'28 inches on Decem- 

 ber 4th. The readings of the last three days at Yii-lin Fu were all very low, but 

 no change in atmospheric conditions resulted. It will be noticed that the 

 difference between the extreme readings during the time spent at Yu-lin Fu 

 was greater than that of any of the preceding months. The average of all 

 barometrical readings for the thirty days was 26*61 inches. 



The temperature during this time steadily decreased, and hygrometer 



143 



