248 On the Normal Rainfall of Bengal [No. 3, 



lying to the eastward than on those to the west, and of the latter 

 those lying to the south near the coast receive more than those to 

 the north. I have omitted the two stations, Burrisal and Furreed- 

 pore for the reasons given at a previous page, but it is well known, 

 as indeed their registers show, that they [the former especially] 

 receive more rain than any of the stations here enumerated, and 

 their rains begin earlier. The mean rainfall of the Delta would 

 appear to be about 70 inches. 



Northern Group. — With the exception of Malda and Bampore 

 Beauleah in the SW, and Dacca in the SE corner of the area, 

 these stations have a higher rainfall than those of the Delta proper. 

 This is doubtless owing to the influence of the hills on the north 

 and north-east, especially the latter, which obstruct the free passage 

 of the vapour-bearing winds, and increase the precipitation of 

 their vapour. This influence is felt to at least 80 miles from their 

 foot. Other things being equal, the easterly stations receive more 

 than the westerly, and the rains begin earlier at the former, as in 

 the case of the Delta stations. The average fall of the area is 

 about 80 inches. 



Himalayan Group. — I have returns of the rainfall of only two 

 stations in the Himalaya, and of one of these only a four years' 

 register. One of them, Rungbee, is situated at an elevation of 

 5000 feet on a spur directly facing the plains to the SE, the 

 other (Darjiling) at 6,950, shut out from the plains by a ridge 

 -*\hich averages 1000 feet above the station. It cannot, therefore, 

 be ascertained how far the difference of their rainfall, which 

 amounts to about 24 per cent, of that of the wetter station, is 

 attributable to difference of elevation. But it is important to note 

 the very great difference of the rainfall of Eungbee and Cherra- 

 punjf, both at nearly the same elevation, and both fully exposed 

 to the moist wind of the region ; since in Sikkiin, the course of 

 the vapour-bearing monsoon has turned so as to proceed from the 

 SE. 



Behar Group. — I include in this group, all stations to westward 

 of the hilly and upland region that lies to the south of the Ganges 

 and between its Delta and the Sone valley, and those north of the 

 Ganges in the province of Behar. Their elevation varies from 150 



