47 



PARAGRAPH XVIII. 



MOISTURE AND PRECIPITATION. 



From a theoretical standpoint we should assume, the relative 

 humidity being greater in the forest than over the field, that 

 more precipitations occur in the forest than in the field. 



European experiments relative to the influence of the forest 

 on precipitation are not conclusive. The position of the ombro- 

 meter influences the result to a high degree. 



As a maker of rainfall, elevation is of largely greater impor- 

 tance than presence of forests. In Europe the higher elevations 

 are usually covered with forests. Experiments showing the truth 

 of the matter can only be made in ^ level country. It seems 

 as if the forest were decreasing the precipitations in a stretch of 

 open country adjoining it on the leeward side (G. Wyssotzky). 



