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peculiarities of the atmosphere as regards temperature^ 

 degree of moisture, prevailing winds, etc. 



The points to be borne in mind when it is desirable to 

 report in detail upon the climate of a giren locality- 

 are, therefore, as follows : — 



(1) Geographical situation. 



(2) Height above sea-level. 



(3) Relative height and position with regard to the- 



surrounding country. 



(4) Slope, aspect, and topographical features generally. 



(5) Temperature, maximum, minimum, and average at 



different seasons ; periods of greatest heat and. 

 cold and their duration. 



(6) Species which thrive in the locality and tbeir pecu-^ 



liarities as regards climate. 



(7) Usual etate of tlie atmosphere, whether clear or the 



reverse, and its dryness or humidity at different 

 seasons. 



(8) Eainfall, mean — annual, and at different seasons ; 



drought and its duration ; snow-fall and its 

 duration. 



(9) Winds and storms, their duration and force, damage^ 



done by them. 



Points (1) to (4) are of relatively small importance in 

 the plains ; but circumstances of climate should be applied 

 to the questions at issue and be explained in a popular 

 manner. 



Example. — The distingoishing characteristics of the climate are its dryness anct 

 the great divergence between the temperature at different seasons of the year; 

 These extremes of heat and cold, combined with the dryness of the atmosphere during 

 most of the year, render the propagation of all but a few species, such as Salhergia 

 /S'aWoo impossible ; and even the hardy Acacia arabica is killed off by fi'ost unless 

 artificially shaded in winter. The monsoon rains nominally commence in July and 

 continue to the end of August, but they are neither very constant nor regular, and 

 sometimes almost altogether fail. Plantings and sowings are only possible during: 

 this short period, and even then often fail in consequence of the dry hot weather 

 dnrin°: September. As a rule, a large proportion of the annual rain falls dnring the 

 winter, showers commencing at the end of December and lasting to the second week 

 of January. The months of Match, April and May are more or less stormy as well as 

 hot and dry. The dangerous season for fires is thus much prolonged, but, on the 

 other hand, the grass withers early and can be burnt with safety. Easterly winds 

 prevail but are seldom violent, and their effects can be neutralized to a great 

 extent by protective bands of trees along the west boundary. The climate is, 

 on the whole, healthy, even during the scorching dry heats, except in the deeper- 

 valleys and irrigated tracts. Owing to the dampness of these latter places the forests 

 remain green throughout the year, and are so unhealthy that labourers cannot be; 

 induced to riside or wori: in them during the warm season from May to October. 



