Climate of Victoria. 



Hot winds frequently sweep the country, and the tempera- 

 ture of air on such occasions reaching in the shade the high 

 value of 111° and even more, causes considerable damage to 

 fruits and cereals. 



The number of hailstorms is comparatively speaking small, 

 although the size of the stones is sometimes considerable. 



The following table contains the amount of rain and hours 

 of rain, as derived from observations made during two years in 

 Melbourne : — 



Quarter. 



Tear. 



Amount. 



Hours. 



March ] 



April V 



May j 



1858 



Inches. 

 2-881 



100-6 



1859 



3-414 



83-5 



June • ] 



July [ 



August ) 



1858 



4-014 



190-6 



1859 



5-854 



175-1 



September ) 



October 1 



November ) 



1858 

 1859 



5-625 

 6-142 



136-01 

 145-1 



December ] 



January ... ... ... 1 



February j 



1858 

 1859 



9-170 

 2-796 



136-0 

 49-0 



The amount of rain for the year collected in various parts 

 of the colony is as follows 



17-26 inches. 

 23-554 



Geelong, 1858 

 Heathcote, 1858 

 Melbourne, 1858 

 Portland, 1858 

 Wimmera, 1859 

 Beechworth, 1858 

 Camperdown, 1858 



As mentioned in the commencement, 

 the few facts as yet registered, to arrive at definite results 

 with regard to the climatology of this country. These few 

 lines contain however the principal features of our climate, 

 and may suffice to fulfil the general scope of this report, 



21-69 

 27-22 

 14-86 

 32-95 



27-85 



it is impossible, with 



