1849.] On the Influence of Forests on Climate. 791 



Note by Mr. Blyth. — The snake which I have had invariably pointed 

 out to me, as the Raj Samp by natives of Bengal is Bungarus annularis, 

 which habitually preys upon other snakes, and is currently said to be a 

 deadly enemy of the Cobra. I have taken a Tropidonatus umbratus about 

 two-thirds the length of its devourer, from the stomach of this species, 

 and the specimen is stuffed in the Society's Museum as in the act of 

 seizing its victim which it had swallowed. Another ophiophagous species* 

 with the Cobra hood, is Hamadryas hannah of Cantor, or Maia vettata 

 of Elliot ; a specimen of which (9 ft. long, and now mounted in the 

 Museum), I obtained in the Midnapore jungle. 



Mr. Layard some time ago informed me of a popular notion among the 

 natives of Ceylon respecting a "horn" which is said to grow sometimes, 

 but very rarely on the forehead of the jackal ; and this horn is regarded 

 by them as a specific of innumerable virtues. Strange to say, the same 

 notion is equally current among the natives of Bengal, who believe that 

 it ensures the prosperity of its possessor, and success in every under- 

 taking. — E. B. 



On the Influence of Forests on Climate.* By Lieut. W. H. Parish, 

 B. A. (Coummunicated by Sir H. M. Elliott, K. C. B. Sec. to the 

 Govt, of India.) 



The influence of forests in modifying the climate of the globe, may 

 fitly be considered in this place, more especially as the subject has of 

 late attracted much attention in this country. I shall confine myself 

 however to merely recording in this brief notice the opinions of such 

 scientific men as have devoted much of their time to the investigation 

 of this important subject. 



There can be no doubt that the state of the climate, especially the 

 humidity of the atmosphere, influences vegetation, and that in its turn 

 vegetation re-acts upon the climate, but too much importance has been 

 attributed to the influence of forests, as if they were the principal 

 cause of the moisture of the climate. The felling of forests has doubt- 

 less been attended, in many countries, by a diminution of rain, as in 

 Barbadoes and Jamaica. In the Mauritius also, the rivers were found 



* This forms an Appendix to the Author's Journal of a Trip to the Kohistan of 

 the Jullunder published in the April No. of the Journal. 



