recorded. The average barometrical reading was 26*92, some 8 points higher 

 than that of June. 



The average maximum temperature of this month was lower than that of 

 the previous one, though some very hot weather was experienced. The 

 maximum temperature was recorded on the 5th, when the thermometer stood 

 at 100° F. in the shade. Oddly enough 577° F., almost the minimum 

 temperature for the month was recorded on the same day, thus giving a 

 variation in about twelve hours of 42-3° F. The actual minimum temperature, 

 which was 55'4° F. occurred on the 15th, whilst the average minimum 

 temperature was 65'8° F., or I2"4° F. more than that of June. 



It may be noted here in connection with the thunderstorms of this district, 

 that they usually come in the afternoon after very hot days. Thus on the 5th, 

 when the maximum temperature was ioo"o° F. in the shade, a thunderstorm 

 occurred at 6-30 p.m. The same thing occurred on the 8th, 12th, 13th, and 

 28th of this month, and also on the 3rd, 4th, 19th, and 23rd of June. A 

 heavj' downpour is not a necessary and inevitable result of a hot day, but it is 

 safe to say that the one is usually preceded by the other. On the other hand 

 continuous steady rains such as occurred on the 3rd, the 17th, and the i8th 

 of July are usually accompanied by comparatively low temperatures such as 

 74'2° F. on the 3rd, 75"5° F. on the 17th, and 74*0° F. on the i8th. 



This month cirrus clouds seemed to predominate, though cumulus, 

 stratus, cirro-cumulus, nimbus, cirro-stratus, and strato-cumulus were 

 also noted, coming in the above order as regards their frequency of occurrence. 

 On two out of three days on which nimbus clouds were recorded, they were 

 followed by rain ; whilst rain almost invariably followed stratus clouds. 



It can hardly be said that there was any prevailing wind during this 

 month, though it was most often recorded as blowing from the west. Wind 

 blew from the north-east, north-west and south-west with almost equal 

 frequency. Rain was most frequently brought up by south winds, though it 

 was recorded from all parts of the compass. 



The month ended with less rain, and with finer and more settled weather 

 than that with which it commenced, whilst the maximum temperatures of the 

 last few days were considerably above the average, as also were the mininum 

 readings. 



Aufj^ist, 1908. Tai-tjiian Fn. Altitude 2600 ft. 



The whole of the observations this month were made in T'ai-yiian Fu 

 where the members of the expedition were busy with astronomical observations 



139 



