RELATION OP FORESTS TO THE 



835-1 

 706 



682-5 



" Thus whilst in the Pyrenees the rainfall goes on increasing with 

 the altitude, it is rather (with the exception of the Great St. Bernard) 

 the reverse which is the case in the French Alps, which are more- 

 over much less rainy. 



" The quantities of water which fall in the circumference of the 

 Alpine region to a similar extent show great diversities : almost the 

 same at Zurich and Geneva ; they increase at Chamberg, to diminish 

 at Lyons, Annonay and Tournon. Descending the Isere they are 

 greatest from Valence to Orauge ; and diminish greatly at Avignon. 

 On the sea board they are remarkably great from Mai-seilles to G^nes. 

 In Piedmont they are as great at Turin as in the valley of the Rhone ; 

 in descending the Isfere ; at Yvr^e they reach a figure much higher 

 than at the Great St. Bernard." 



To this statement by M. Raulin there is appended a valuable note 

 of considerable length on the extent of what has yet to be learned in 

 connection with the theory of rain. The observations which have 

 beeu cited are advanced in proof of its not being the altitude of 

 localities irrespective of the contour of the country which determines 

 the quantity of rain falling there ; and they have been adduced here 

 solely in illustration of the fact that the contour of a country has 

 much to do with the disti'ibution of the rainfall. 



There are countries in which rain rarely or never falls. In the Great 

 Sahara of Africa, says Sir John Herschel, rain is unknown ; as also in 

 Arabia and part of Persia, in the great desert of Geb ; in the table 

 land of Thibet, &c. ; while at Coitnbra, on the coast of Portugal, 

 there falls 118'8 inches of rain per annum; at Mahabalchwar, near 

 Bombay, there falls upwards of 254 inches ; at Uttray-Mallay, there 

 falls upwards of 267 inches; and at Cherra-Ponjee, 592 inches. 



