147 



off the ground, carrying away the loose soil on the 

 surface, where the ground is steep, and doing great 

 damage to both soil and vegetation. 



Table VI. shows that from observation taken during 

 five years, the last three months of the year, with the 

 first four months of the following year, constitute the 

 wet season at Delanasau, and doubtless, for Fiji. 

 These tables, however, give merely an indication of 

 the climate of Fiji. The islands differ a great deal as 

 to the amount of rainfall ; and the temperature of 

 different localities varies so much, that a correct idea 

 cannot be given until observations have been taken at 

 many different parts of the colony and compared. 



To judge from the number and size of the rivers, 

 and the volume of 'water which they pour into the sea, 

 combined with the small area of the river basins, it 

 may be concluded that the yearly rainfall in many 

 parts of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu is greater than 

 that registered during two years at Qara Walu, in 

 Taviuni (See Table IV. J. At some places on the 

 north coasts of these two islands the rainfall may be 

 less than that so carefully recorded at Dalanasau. 



As regards temparature, an observation can hardly 

 be said to do more than indicate that of the locality 

 where it was taken. In the interior of both the large 

 islands, the ruling temperature is very much lower 

 than that noted on any part of the coast. Again, on 

 the elevated plains, or grass-covered hills in the interior 

 of Viti Levu, the temperature during the day is some- 

 times as high, if not higher, than on the coast, while 

 during the night it is much cooler, — perhaj)S cold for a 

 tropical country. 



Observations should be taken in a systematic manner 

 and at stated hours of the day. Approved printed 



K 2 



