206 Influence of the Physical Character 
contains a greater number of streams than that to the north, 
and, probably the waters flowing southward have an agegre- 
gate volume equal to many times that of the southern tribu- 
taries of the Murray. 
From this rapid glance at the main features of the coun- 
try, we are led to infer that very little practical import- 
ance can attach to meteorological observations limited to one 
locality. For example, the fall of rain in Melbourne will be 
greater than that in the northern part of the Wimmera district. 
Again, that of the Ovens district must be different to either 
of these—judging alone from the local peculiarities of con- 
figuration. Indeed it would be difficult to calculate the 
rainfall in any given district, even to a remote approxima- 
tion, by data resting on observations in a place situated as 
Melbourne is. 
As the above may seem to be arbitrary opinions, I will at 
once advert to the more obvious causes which influence the 
climate of a country. 
It is impossible, under existing circumstances, to confine 
my observations to Victoria, since we are possessed of only 
a small amount of information respecting climatic variations 
in inland districts. Authenticated cases of variation in other 
countries, however, can teach us important lessons. 
Causes of Differences in Climate.* — The climate of a 
country, its coldness or warmth, the degree of moisture or 
dryness in the atmosphere, is not dependent altogether upon 
its distance from the equator, but is modified, nay, indeed, 
sometimes entirely altered, by other lands in its neighbour- 
hood, by its insular position, or by its proximity to seas of 
great depth. Again, its general configuration—its systems 
of hills and valleys, produce local effects not less appreciable 
than the former. 
There are lands in the southern latitudes, in the same pa- 
rallel as the north of Scotland, where the line of perpetual 
snow descends to the level of the sea; and, as an illustration 
of the changes produced by local causes, I may mention the 
great difference between the climate of Victoria and that of 
the northern part of New Zealand.t 
The peculiarities in the climate of Australia are owing 
* Those who may be desirous to obtain the best information on this subject 
would do well to consult Lyell’s “ Principles of Geology,” chap. vii. p. 92, also 
Humboldt on Isothermal Lines, there quoted. 
+ During the summer months, in New Zealand, the temperature is generally 
about 70°, and I am not aware that it is ever above 80°. In winter it varies 
from 420° to 52°. 
