UM 



METEOROLOGY. 



[PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 



fall of rain, running over several yean, U marked down 

 in the second column. In tho succeeding one, the 

 average mean temperature, taken from the monthly 

 mam in most caws, u afforded ;* but occasionally two 

 "mean*" are given, because either ait uncertainty 

 listed, or tlio cliinato is subject to extraordinary v.iri- 

 .iti.iiu in certain yean a by no means uncommon case 

 with th.it of our ovru country. In the fourth column, 

 either the extreme range of temperature, occurring in 

 the greatest heat and cold), tho mean of 

 winter awl summer, or the entire range is afforded. 

 In attempting to give those particulars as accurately as 

 possible, we can but remark, that tho accounts of various 

 observers differ so greatly, as to make it a matter of 

 nr i h difficulty to obtain information that can bo relied 

 on ; and it is far more than likely, that tho thermometers 

 employed for this purpose have been often incorrect, 

 fir reasons already assigned at an earlier page.f 

 Observations of this kind, if carelessly made, or with 

 improper instruments, are worse than useless; we 

 believe, however, that the figures in tho following table 

 will be found as nearly accurate as possible, because no 

 one set of observations has been adopted, but rather 

 independent data, so that they might act as a check on 

 eich other. If not otherwise stated, the temperatures 

 are those of nearly the sea-level, or that distance above 

 it on which the majority of towns ore situated ; which 

 U generally not of any elevation worthy of notice, or 

 likely to interfere, comparatively, with ordinary observa- 

 tions. For the sake of saving space, the letter E has 

 been employed to indicate the extreme points between 

 which tho thermometer ranges ; W shows the moan 

 winter, and 8 tho mean summer, average tempera- 

 ture ; and U indicates the total range in degrees, which 

 occurs between the highest and lowest readings in the 

 course of the year. 



In tho column"devoted to "moisture," of course 

 every remark is but comparative or suggestive. The 

 use of tho hygrometer has been but recently adopted 

 beyond tho precincts of our observatories, and hence, the 

 character of a climate in this respect, must be, at present, 

 often a matter of guess-work, or represented in some- 

 what ideal expressions. The reader, however, must bear 

 in mind the remarks which have been frequently made 

 respecting temperature and moisture ; and wherever the 

 annual mean of the former is high, with tho rainfall 

 Urge, and the thennometric range not very ex- 

 ceanve, an atmosphere containing much suspended 

 aqueous vapour may bo expected. This is illustrated 

 in the case of the Guianas, Senegambia, Ceylon, itc. On 

 the othor hand, an excessive range, little rainfall, and a 

 comparatively high or low annual mean temperature, 

 .to a dry climate, as those of Canada, Thibet, the 

 Sahara, Russia, <tc. The last two columns give the 

 latitudes and longitudes ; in some cases, nearly that is, 

 within a few miles, for the purpose of including a small 

 district surrounding the place of observation. 



The table, an thus arranged, may bo employed for tho 

 purpose of marking down,, on a map, isothermal lines for 

 any mean annual temperature which may bo taken from 

 column 3. The latitude corresponding to it will be 

 found in column 6, and the longitudes in column 

 7- Thus, choosing from column 3, the average of C2, 

 and commencing in Ireland, we pass to tho middle of 

 England ; through a part of Franco, to the north of Paris; 

 Prussia ; the north of Turkey, or south of Russia (possibly 

 the N. of tho Blnck Sea) ; the north of India, or perhaps 

 OHM part of Thibet ; the north of China ; and thence to 

 New Zealand and Tasmania. All these countries have, in 

 one part, the mean annual average of 52 ; and, accord- 

 ingly, the uotbermal yearly line will bo included in them. 



If we next turn to column 4, it will be seen that tho 

 yearly average U struck from very varying montlily or 

 fe-woatt/y means, for the range* of temperature are 



neatly different in each country. Thus, England has a 

 total annual range of 85 j Prussia has an avcrrvje mean, 

 between winter and summer, of about 38 ; whilst, in tho 

 tar thu, Mattmud m/, p. UM. 







north of China, the similar range ef winter and summer 

 means is 53; and in New Zealand and Tasmania 

 only about 20. By taking six winter and six summer 

 mouths, respectively, according to tho table . 

 wich average monthly temperatures (given at ]u ,'> 117J), 

 wo shall obtain a mean ranye, between win!' r an 

 of about 15 (which is, however, too small) ; so tha: 

 country named above, although having tho K 

 aititutd temperature, has a remarkably different ;i 

 mean, from which that annual average has been >! . 

 The reader will therefore perceive why tico sets of iso- 

 thermal lines are needed one for the year, and an 

 for the month as wo have already pointed out at a 

 previous page-t By such a plan only, can a i : 

 average climatic mean be obtained, which may be 

 rectly compared with that of any other pi 



The remarks which have been made about climates of 

 the excessive type, will receive a complete illustration in 

 the table ; and the student will bo able to trace tin 

 nection subsisting between rainfall, suspended moisture, 

 and range of temperature, as affecting various places, 

 but especially those of a tropical character. Am< 

 the extraordinary inflections produced by special 

 turbing causes, that of- the Gulf-stream may be 

 ticularly noticed, both in respect to latitude and 

 longitude, and from its origin, till it is lost in tho Xm-th 

 Polar seas. It will also be observed how much less 

 remote the extremes of the annual range of temperature 

 become as land-surfaces diminish in breadth, ami tend 

 towards an insular nature, except under extraordinary 

 local circumstances (as in Iceland, <tc.) ; and the in- 

 fluence of ocean currents, or ocean static conditions, 

 may thus be completely and satisfactorily traced, in 

 connection with latitudes on either side of tho equator, 

 and compared with the effect produced by extensive 

 land-surfaces in other regions. The temperature of tho 

 ocean in different latitudes has been given, and will be 

 found useful in many inquiries affecting climate, <fec. 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS. In connec- 

 tion with tho science of Meteorology, we may make a few- 

 remarks on the distribution of plants and animals ; mil 

 thus recommend to our readers, as a most inten 

 study, the comparison of the natural productions of 

 region, taken in relation to its climatic characteristics. 



Whatever theories may be adopted, in ethnology, with 

 respect to tho races or varieties of men; in zou 

 regarding animals ; in botany, as to plants, ttc. ; and tho 

 inferences we may draw, geologically, from specimens 

 of extinct species, respecting their former regions of 

 existence ; it is patent to tho most cursory observer, that, 

 with the exception of man, all classes and families of ani- 

 mals and plants may bo so arranged as to be considered 

 indigenous to certain climates. The varieties of species aro 

 certainly very numerous ; and normal characteristics aro 

 often modified by various circumstances. Thus tho 

 breed of cattle and horses, the quality of fruit, cfcc . 

 respectively the subjects of change when those ar 

 moved from tho country in which they exist in a wild or 

 uncultivated state. The art of training both plants and 

 animals to undergo and bear this change, has, of lato 

 years, been carefully studied, and exceedingly int. 

 ing results have accrued ; and the subject is one of great 

 importance in a commercial point of view, as it is now 

 being constantly attempted to introduce animals, ifcc., 

 into our colonies, not only to improve the existing stock, 

 but also to add other and useful forms to it. Tho 

 alpaca, salmon, poultry, pheasants, itc., have thus i 

 transported to our Australian settlements, and are likely 

 to be extremely productive, and of great service ; and tlm 

 cinchona plant has similarly been carried to ludia, and 

 promises soon to afford an abundant supply of quinine, 

 so essential in cases of debility, ague, &c., in tr.. 

 climates. These afford striking instances of the value 

 which is attached to tho study of climatic meteorology : 

 and to those so engaged, tho following tablo will doubt- 

 less prove of great assistance. Wo may, however, give 

 here some additional hints, by pointing out the pro- 

 ductions which characterise tho separate zones, both of 

 latitude and elevation. 



