to produce different effects on vegetation. An experiment 

 was conducted in glass compartments in which glass of 

 the following colours was used : ruby, brown-red, orange, 

 yellow, cobalt-blue, and deep green. The young plant" 

 first broke the soil in the box covered 'with the orange 

 glass and last under those covered by yellow, green 

 and blue glasses. It was subsequently found that the 

 effect of the yellow rays was such as to prevent the 

 germination of the seed even although the rays only rested 

 on the surface of the soil while the seed lay buried beneath ; 

 while, again,, the blue light seemed to remarkably favour the 

 process. Under the orange light the plants grew very tall, 

 but then they had white stalks, and they refused to put forth 

 any flowers. Under the yellow light it was remarkable that 

 a number of little fungi or moulds sprang up and flourished 

 luxuriantly while the plants themselves withered and died. 

 Under the red light the plants only grew an inch or two high, 

 had something of a reddish colour, and soon rotted and 

 perished, although supplied with abundance of food in the 

 soil in which they were placed. Undei the green light the 

 plants grew slowly but tolerably strong, yet none would ''* 

 flower, notwithstanding the greatest care and attention paid 

 to them. The results under the blue glass were very differ- 

 ent. The seed germinated a little less quickly than in the 

 open air, but the plants became compact and healthy in their 

 character, putting forth their flower-buds strongly and flower- 

 ing in perfection. Under this light alone did the various 

 processes go on with that vigour which is characteristic of 

 vegetation in the open air. It is inferred that such would also 

 probably be the case with plants grown under violet glasses. ' 

 loi. Rainfall. -It cannot be said, that the causes that 

 govern rainfall in India, are very well understood. Rainfall 

 is regulated partly by the prevailing winds and partly by the 

 contour of the country -chiefly with reference to the position 

 of. the seas and the mountains. In the neighbourhood of high 



