146 IV. CLIMATE. 



and general indications subject to manj' local exceptions, 

 can be attempted here. 



By its insularity Britain has the dampness and equabi- 

 lity of temperature which are usual characteristics of 

 insular climates. Its proximity to Europe, with only a 

 narow channel intervening, induces some approach to the 

 continental character of climate, in the inland and south- 

 eastern counties of England ; especially so between lati- 

 tudes 51 and 53. On the contrary, the influence of the 

 gulf-stream on the western coasts tends to increase the 

 insular characteristics here, by afi"ording a constant 

 supply of comparatively warm water, and consequently 

 also of water-warmed air ; the moisture of which becomes 

 visible in clouds, and palpable in mists and rains, on 

 passing to the cooler surface of the land. The winters 

 of Britain are thus rendered less cold, than would other- 

 wise be anticipated from its northern latitude ; while the 

 summers are rendered less warm ; both seasons being 

 more damp. This result is not wholly lost even in the 

 most easterly provinces of England, although consider- 

 ably reduced there. In addition, the alternations of 

 weather, from damp and mild to dry and cold, are fre- 

 quent and rapid ; thus making the climate proverbial for 

 its variability. But their frequency of repetition is more 

 remarkable than the extent of the changes ; for the 

 climate is seldom in any extreme, either of cold or of 

 drought, and still less in that of heat. Serene weather 

 in summer occasionally dries and heats the groimd so far 

 as to become a drought injurious to vegetation ; particu- 

 larly to garden plants and cultivated crops in the counties 

 round London. More commonly, a few days of unusually 

 high temperature are followed by thunder-showers, which 

 restore damp and coolness to the ground, and conse- 

 quently also to the air. 



