ON THE METEOROLOGY OP IRELAND. 337 



From the mean results of the preceding Table, we learn that 

 the diurnal range is greater at the inland than at the coast stations, 

 the mean excess being 2-8 degrees. The excess is greater in 

 summer than in winter, being 3'3 in the former, and 2'4 in the 



latter season. 



"We are now in a position to refer to one, at least, of the 

 practical inferences which may be deduced from the preceding 

 results. 



The climatological conditions connected with temperature, 

 which favour the prevention or cure of pulmonary diseases, are, 

 firstly, a high winter temperature ; and secondly, a small amount 

 of diurnal range. It has been already stated that Ireland is well 

 circumstanced as to these conditions ; let us now inquire which is 

 its most favourable region as respects them. 



The months of lowest temperature in Ireland, and which are 

 on that account the most trying to the sufferers from the diseases 

 referred to, are those of December, January, February, and March. 

 During these months the mean temperature varies very little in 

 Ireland, the mean range at Dublin varying from 41'7 in January, 

 to 45 0< 4 in March, or only 3'7 degrees. Now the mean direction of 

 the isothermal lines for these four months is N. 37 W. ; so that 

 the highest mean temperature for these months is to be found on 

 the south-western coast, not far from Valentia. 



The second condition above mentioned, although not frequently 

 taken into account, is, perhaps, still more important. In proof of 

 this it may be mentioned that in Norway, which is remarkable for 

 the small amount of the diurnal range of temperature, consump- 

 tion is uncommon, even in the highest latitudes ; while in parts 

 of Sweden, where this condition does not hold, it is prevalent. 

 Now, we learn from the preceding Table that, among the stations 

 at which observations were made in 1851, the winter diurnal range 

 of temperature is least at Cahirciveen. Both conditions, therefore, 

 point to the sputh- western coast of Kerry as the region in Ireland 

 most favourable to patients affected with these formidable maladies. 



I am not in possession of any statistical data bearing upon this 

 question, and am therefore unable to say how far the conclusion 

 thus drawn is borne out by facts. 



