OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. 5 



parifhes; the fecond, ,to the eaft, contains forty-two. 

 The boundaries of each diocefe, with the fituation and 

 denomination of the parifhes, may be feen by in- 

 fpefling the annexed map. 



SECT. 3. Climate. 



THE climate of this county refembles the reft of 

 Ireland in its variability; but, in general, it is not fub- 

 jet to extremes. It feldom experiences a long con- 

 tinuance of dry weather in the fummer months, or of 

 frofty weather in winter ; and Chriftmas often finds 

 the fields ftill cloathed in green. Our two fevered 

 months are commonly the two firft of the year, and 

 fometimes the third is nearly confumed, before it can 

 be faid that the rigour of winter is paft. In fpring the 

 prevailing winds are from the eaft, and, at that period, 

 generally bring fair weather with them, and prepare 

 the ground for feed ; nor do they entirely give way to 

 the genial breezes from the fouth and weft, until May 

 is far advanced. Dry weather does not feem to be 



attached to any particular point of the compafs ; fome 







of our longeft droughts have been with fbutherly 



winds ; and, although the weftern are the moft violent, 

 and molt impregnated with moifture, yet very ftrong 

 gales, and heavy falls of rain, from the beginning of 

 December until February is paft, come from the fouth- 



eaft: 



