Feb. 2 



" 3 

 L8 

 22 



Temp. 



DifiE. 



585] 

 94- ) 



365 



55- ) 

 109- j 



54- 



54- 





44- | 



82- ) 



38- 



118 



as the distance from the coast increases. Indeed, the aspect 

 of the vegetation demands that such is the case. 



Thermometric readings taken exclusively on the Plateau, 

 and embracing a period of twenty days in the month of 

 February, give a mean temperature of 75 deg. at 9 a.m., and 

 of 87 deg. at 3 p.m. The highest temperature recorded was 

 109 deg. on the 4th. The changes of temperature were pretty 

 regular ; at 9 a.m., 75 deg. ; at 3 p.m., 87 deg. ; at 6 p.m., about 

 75 deg. ; cooling rapidly after sundown, and becoming bitterly 

 cold between 4 and 5 a.m. Only on a few occasions did I note- 

 the temperature at these early hours. The following table 

 exhibits the range of temperature observed on four days : — 

 Date. Time. 



C 5-30 a.m. 

 (3 p.m. 

 C 5*15 a.m. 

 1 3 p.m. 

 18 7 a.m. 



C 6-23 a.m. 

 { 3 p.m. 

 The unusually cold mornings betokened hot days, and the 

 greatest difference of temperature of 59 deg. was recorded on 

 the 28th of January, while at Coymbra. At 4.30 a.m. the 

 temperature was 53 deg., at 9 a.m. 94 deg. ; and the maximum 

 was 112 deg. 



In consequence of the calm and clear nights, and with a 

 temperature frequently falling below dew point, dew should 

 be copiously deposited ; but it seems that the atmosphere over 

 the dry surfaces of the interior part of the plateau had little or 

 no moisture to give lip during the time of my sojourn, as no 

 dew was observed. But near the coast there was frequently a 

 copious precipitation of dew, and it was a matter of observa- 

 tion that the quantity rapidly diminished inland, and beyond 

 the limits of the timber trees appeared to be nil. 



BOTANY. 



The number of plants inhabiting the Plateau is very small, 

 and is for most part made up of shrubs or shrubby perennial 

 herbs. Some species appear to be confined to the rocky edges 

 of the cliffs, such as Correa speciosa, var. onagnifica, Eremophila 

 Broivni, E. altemifolia , Goodenia varia. 



Whilst the under cliff of consolidated sand, which extends 

 for about sixteen miles east from "Wilson's Bluff, yields a 

 number of species not met with on the Plateau, though familiar 

 plants beyond it, conspicuous among which are Lavatera 

 plebeia, Sccevola crassifblia, Nitraria ScJioeberi, Templetonia 

 retusa, KocMa oppositifolia, Enchylcena tomentosa, Occalis comi- 

 cidata. These plants here find favourable conditions for growth 



