ISP NEW SOUTH WALES. 



■were not, however, true brick-fielders, or such as a resident would 

 so denominate. 



Snow has been known to fall in Sydney, but so rarely, that we 

 were told some of the inhabitants were doubtful as to its nature. On 

 the mountains it is not uncommon, and in the winter season is always 

 seen on those in the New England district, which, although three 

 or four degrees to the northward of Sydney, enjoy a much cooler 

 climate. 



Major Mitchell often found that the temperature exceeded 100° of 

 Fahrenheit. The heat was, of course, very oppressive, and more so 

 on account of the little shade the native trees afford. The difference 

 of temperature between the day and night is great, but upon this 

 point I was able to get but little information ; the meteorological 

 registers that have been kept at Sydney, have omitted the night hours 

 altogether. 



I have been favoured since my return with the abstract returns of 

 the meteorological registers during parts of the years 1840 and '41, 

 kept at the South Head of Port Jackson, two hundred and fifty-four 

 feet above the level of the sea. Being kept immediately at the sea- 

 coast, this record does not furnish so satisfactory an account of 

 the climate, as if the place of observation had been farther in the 

 interior. I have also those kept at Port Macquarie to the north, 

 and at Port Philip to the south ; the following are some of the results 

 from them. 



During the winter months, June, July, August, and September, on 

 the eastern coast, they have the winds from the south to the west 

 quarter, blowing strong and cold, not unlike our northeast winds, 

 accompanied by rain. The quantity of rain which fell in the winter 

 of 1840 was 35-25 inches; in 1841, 45-00 inches. The temperature 

 during this season is from 40° to 78°, mean temperature, 66°. During 

 the summer months, October, November, December, January, and 

 February, easterly winds prevail, and the temperature varies from 

 56° to 90° ; the mean temperature being about 78°. On the south 

 coast, as appears from the tables kept at Port Philip, the winds pursue 

 a reversed order; for during the summer months they are found 

 to prevail from the southward and westward, whilst in winter they 

 come from the eastward. The mean standing of the barometer seems 

 to be higher at Port Philip than at Port Jackson and Port Mac- 

 quarie ; its range is within 0-5 inches, and at the two latter places it 

 seldom reached 30-000 inches. During our stay at Sydney, the range 



