284 



PROFESSOR G. E. POST^ M.L). 



variable climate. The barometer is usually on the rise during 

 a rain. A south-west wind usually concurs with a rise from 

 a low barometer. A north wind may come with any state 

 of the barometer. A west wind accompanies a high rising 

 barometer. 



During the whole period covered by these tables^ snow fell 

 only once at Beirut. It seldom comes lower than 2^000 feet 

 altitude, and does not last any length of time lower than 

 5,000 feet. Hail, however, is quite frequent, more especially 

 in February and March. 



It is impossible to doubt that Syria and Palestine are suf- 

 fering, in common with all the East, from the denudation of 

 forests, and consequent diminution in the rainfall, and irre- 

 gularity in its advent. Certainly, in the northern wooded 

 regions the rain falls during the summer as well as the winter. 

 Observations have not yet been extended over a sufficient 

 number of years to be decisive, but there are indications that 

 increasing cultivation, especially tree-planting on Lebanon 

 and in the maritime plains, is exercising a favourable influence 

 on the climate and water supply. Could the heights of 

 Lebanon be again clothed with forests of cedar, and the same 

 be planted on the Anti-Lebanon range, a greatchange would 

 come over the whole Levant. The rains would set in earlier, 

 continue later, come more mildly, and be less frequently 

 accompanied with destructive floods than at present. 



Direction of Wind, days. 



M 



P^ 



M 



Half-year 



