( " ) 



- The influence of the continent differs in different parts of 

 the country. The mountain chains, most of which run through 

 our archipelago from north to south divides the empire length^ 

 wise into two main regions, and the climatic features of the 

 two regions show quite a radical difference, in consequence. 

 The half lying west or north-west of the back bone of our 

 country being called " Ura-Nippon,"* ("Ura" means ventral) 

 the other half lying on the other side is called " Oniote- Nippon "t 

 (" Omote " means dorsal). 



Generally speaking, our winter temperatures are much 

 lower owing to the heavy cooling influence of the Asiatic con- 

 tinent. So, north of 30 degree N. (Riukiu Chain) the average 

 minimum temperature in winter descends below zero every- 

 where ; hence, more or less snow falls. The cooling below 

 zero takes place not only in mid-winter, but also in late 

 autumn and early spring. So, frost prevails from the middle 

 of November to the end of March in every part of the country 

 except the extreme south, that is to say, south of 30 

 degrees N. 



According to the observations made at Sapporo (about 43 

 degrees 5 minutes N. L.), Hokkaido, earliest frost occurs in the 

 first week of October and latest spring frosts extend to the 

 middle of May, 



In Tokio (35 degrees 40 minutes N- L.) frost begins in 

 the late November and lasb until the first week of May. 

 Finally, in Kagoshima (about 31 degrees and 30 minutes N, 

 L.), the frost begins in late December and disappears by the 

 end of March. 



The Riukiu Islands have no frost throughout the year, but 

 the case is different in Formosa, where light frosts are often, 

 formed in the northern districts. The climate pf Formosa.; 

 differs from that of oceanic islands, owing to its nearn&ss to 

 the Continent, 



* May be called the Continental Belt. 



"t May be called the Pacific Belt. ' ' 



