.36 The Climate of New Zealand. 
Annual mean totals: — Auckland 180.4; New Plymouth 189.7; Gisborne 153.8; 
Wellington 167.7; Christchurch 119.4; Hokitika 179.2; Dunedin. 163.3; Inver- 
cargill 180.0 
3. Temperature. 
Latitude, insolation, proximity to the ocean, or the large inland lakes, and 
height above sea-level are the determining factors with regard to temperature. 
Especially are the oceanic influences a master factor with regard to both 
summer heat and winter cold, upon both of which they exercise a moderating 
effect. Indeed, extremes of heat and cold, such as occur at similar latitudes 
in the Northern hemisphere, are absent throughout New, Zealand at every 
altitudinal belt. The W. ‚coast of the South Island lies open to the prevailing 
westerly winds and is more Be and equable than the eastern botanical 
_ districts which, generally speaking, possess a more or less continental climate 
with a considerable range of are Near the coast of the Noith Island 
_ frosts, even on the grass, are of rare- occurrence, but further S., and inland 
 throughout, they are often experienced. Special details as to kehren are 
given further on when treating of the different districts and in the section 
 dealing with the vegetation of the high mountains. | ; 
The meteorological seasons are later than the astronomical. Thus July is 
usually the coldest and wettest month in the year, while January is the dryest 
and warmest. The seasons may be rough!y divided as follows: — spring, 
en September, Nena ee summer, _. December, en February; 
