The Effects of a Drought 77 



P.M., that recalled the prolonged mid-harvest 

 noonings of the farmer's help ; but, besides 

 this, the heated term in question really affefted 

 wild-life throughout the night as well. Cer- 

 tainly there was a marked difference in the 

 activity of all furred creatures. The differ- 

 ence in temperature between noon and mid- 

 night did not always rouse even the flying- 

 squirrels to their wonted no&urnal activities. 

 If the temperature of those August days was 

 prolonged to sixty or ninety days, and of 

 regular occurrence, migration or aestivation 

 would be brought about, more probably the 

 latter. Something akin to it can be traced, 

 if our investigations are thorough, even now. 

 Whatever may be its cause, the drought ap- 

 pears to have become an established con- 

 dition, but varying as to time, of each sum- 

 mer. It is more marked now than a century 

 ago, and the question arises, Is it the initial 

 step towards a change of climate, to a wet 

 and dry season, rather than the present dual 

 condition of warm and cold ? 



A single entertaining incident relieved the 

 scene of desolation, for these strong terms 

 are certainly applicable to a region affe&ed 

 by even this less prolonged drought of 1896. 



