1870.] On the Normal Rainfall of Bengal. 249 



to 450 feet. The vapour-bearing monsoon readies these as a SE 

 or ESE wind, and having already traversed the high ground 

 above noticed, and its flanking hill ranges, has been deprived of a 

 portion of its moisture. Consequently their mean rainfall does 

 not exceed 40 inches, and their climate is similar to that of the 

 N. W. P. Moreover the rains commence as a rule about a fort- 

 night later than in the Delta, and they reach their maximum in 

 July or August. 



Western Bengal. — Under this name, I group the stations lying 

 between the Delta and Behar groups. Those on the eastern and 

 northern edge are from 100 to 200 feet only above the sea. Those 

 in the interior are more elevated, the highest, Hazareebaugh, being 

 2010 feet. Their rainfall varies between an amount equal to that 

 of the western Delta stations, to one not greater than that of the 

 Behar group. Generally there is a gradual diminution from east 

 to west, but the amount is much influenced by elevation and 

 exposure. Thus, Hazareebaugh, at 2010 feet, has a mean rainfall 

 10 inches higher than Manbhoom, 70 miles to the eastward, but 

 situated on a plain probably less than 500 feet above the sea. On 

 the east face of the Kurruckpore hills, 80 miles west of Bhagul- 

 pore, in a country covered with dense forest, and directly facing 

 the SE wind, the rainfall is stated by Mr. Stevens in a report 

 on a proposed scheme for irrigation, to be as high as 72 inches, 

 which does not seem improbable. But at Bhagulpore to the east- 

 ward, close to the Granges, the average fall is only 51 inches, and at 

 Monghyr at the north-western foot, and somewhat to leeward of 

 the range, it does not amount to 40 inches. 



Orissa Group. — This group includes three stations situated on 

 the alluvial plain which borders the north-west corner of the Bay 

 and averages 50 miles in width, and one, Sumbulpore, in the 

 interior of the hill country lying to the westward. Balasore, the most 

 northerly of the former stations, has a rainfall equal to that of 

 Calcutta, but the quantity diminishes to the south and towards the 

 interior. The wettest months appear to be July and August, but 

 the registers shew some anomalies, which are probably due to 

 their imperfection. It may be noticed, that while the June rainfall 

 is somewhat less than that of the Delta, the October fall is some- 

 what larger. 



