METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS 175 



The mean for the above six years amounts to 40 inches (1,024 

 mm.). This is a value considerably higher than that for Cayl- 

 loma or Santa Lucia. The greater rainfall of Morococha is prob- 

 ably due in part to its more northerly situation. An abnormal 

 feature of the rainfall of 1908, the rainiest year, is the large 

 amount that fell in June. Ordinarily June and July, the coldest 

 months, are nearly or quite rainless. The normal concurrence 

 of highest temperatures and greatest precipitation is of course 

 highly favorable to the plant life of these great altitudes. Full 

 advantage can be taken of the low summer temperatures if the 

 growing temperatures are concentrated and are accompanied by 

 abundant rains. Since low temperatures mean physiologic dry- 

 ness, whether or not rains are abundant, the dryness of the winter 

 months has little effect in restricting the range of Alpine species. 



The seasonal distribution of rain helps the plateau people as 

 well as the plateau plants. The transportation methods are 

 primitive and the trails mere tracks that follow the natural lines 

 of topography and drainage. Coca is widely distributed, likewise 

 corn and barley which grow at higher elevations, and wool must 

 be carried down to the markets from high-level pastures. In the 

 season of rains the trails are excessively wet and slippery, the 

 streams are often in flood and the rains frequent and prolonged. 

 On the other hand the insignificant showers of the dry or non- 

 growing season permit the various products to be exchanged 

 over dry trails. 



The activities of the plateau people have had a seasonal expres- 

 sion from early times. Inca chronology counted the beginning of 

 the year from the middle of May, that is when the dry season was 

 well started and it was inaugurated with the festivals of the Sun. 

 With the exception of June when the people were entirely busied 

 in the irrigation of their fields, each month had its appropriate 

 feasts until January, during which month and February and 

 March no feasts were held. April, the harvest month, marked the 

 recommencement of ceremonial observances and a revival of social 

 life. 13 



" Christoval de Molina, The Fables and Rites of the Yncas, Hakluyt Soc. Pubis., 1st 

 Ser., No. 48, 1873. 



