6 HI. C. Schunke.-—The Transkeian Territories: | Jan. 28, 
and the linear distances from the coast of points of equal altitude 
and the climate. Our general knowledge of the climate of South- 
Eastern Africa and of the physical structure of Kaffraria Proper in 
special enables us, notwithstanding the scarcity of local observation, 
to arrive at an approximate solution of the meteorological problems 
which present themselves. We may presume that during summer 
the region of minimum barometric pressure in South Africa is 
situated in the Kalahari Desert and the prevailing winds in summer 
along the South-east coast blow therefore in that direction. The 
South-east winds bring rain. In winter the prevailing winds are 
from the North-west. This is entirely different from what takes 
place in South-West Africa where rains occur in winter and are 
brought by North-west and West winds. In Kaffraria the North- 
west winds iv winter blow with great force sometimes to 9th and 
10th degree of force, whereas the South-east winds in summer rarely 
exceed the 4th and 5th degree. Kaffraria is situated on the weather 
side of the main elevation, which latter like the coastline has a 
direction almost at right angles to the direction of the rain-bringing 
winds, and the country is therefore on the whole well supplied with 
rain. The greatest amount of rain falls along the Drakensberg 
and on the seacoast. It is equal to that of Southern Europe, averaging 
over thirty-two inches. The mean rainfall of the territory may be 
put down atabout twenty-eight inches, which exceeds the rainfall 
of Southern Germany and is exactly that of the Colony of Victoria. 
Just opposite the part of the coast between the Bashee and St. 
John’s Rivers the Drakensperg and Zuurberg attain their closest 
proximity to the coast. It is on the upper terrace in this part that 
the maximum rainfall is attained. During nearly the whole summer 
there is a steady rainfall which can always be depended upon and 
droughts are not known. One would think that in so narrow a 
coast belt as Kaffraria the South-east trade winds would blow from the 
coast to the main elevation throughout with unfailing regularity ; 
but such is not the case. It is exceedingly interesting to notice 
the local modifications which are due to the relief of the country. 
The principal regions in which I have noticed such local disturbances 
of the normal climate are the Upper Umzimvubu or St. John’s Basin 
and the Upper and Middle Kei Basin. In the latter the modification 
of climate is by far the more marked. The Basin is surrounded on 
all sides by high mountain ranges and plateaus, but what chiefly 
determines the character of its climate is the high Ncamakwe Plateau 
