INDIAN METEOROLOGY. 291 



observatories in Ceylon. There still remained, however, some 

 portions of the country in which they were somewhat sparsely 

 scattered, but most of these were the wilder tracts where no suitable 

 stations existed. 



The Famine Commission Report issued during the year 1880-81, 



gave emphatic expression to the objects of the department and the 



practical importance of meteorology. After giving a summary of 



what is known respecting the distribution of rainfall in India and 



- the variations to which it is subject, the Commissioner remarked : — 



'■' As at present no power exists of foreseeing the atmospheric changes effective in 

 producing the rainfall, or of determining beforehand its probable amount in any season, 

 such as would adirit of timely precautions being taken against impending drought, the 

 necessity becomes the greater for watching with close attention the daily progress of 

 each season as it passes, for ascertaining with accuracy and promptitude the actual 

 quantity of lain in all parts of the country, and for forming the be^ and earliest judg- 

 ment possible from the facts as they occur, whether the supply will be sufficient or 

 otherwise. For the present, at least, as far as the rainfall directly affecis the subject 

 under consideration, these are the only precautions that appear possible. Within the 

 last few years a very satisfactory system of meteorological observations has been 

 established all over British India, and, in our opinion, it is of primary importance that 

 it shall be maintained in complete efficiency, and shall so far be strengthened and 

 improved a^ to ensure the early and punctual supply of information to the executive 

 Governments, and to the officials in all departments concerned with the agriculture of 

 the country, or the preparations required to meet famines, as to the actual progress of 

 the periodical seasons of rain in all parts of the provinces, for which these Govern- 

 ments or officers are respectively responsible. So far as it may become possible with 

 the advance of knowledge to form a forecast of the future, such aids should be made 

 use of, though with due caution. 



" We are also satisfied of the importance of the diffusion of more sound and accurate 

 knowledge of the causes and mode of occurrence of the periodical rains, on which 

 the well-being of India is so largely dependent, not only among the officers of the 

 Government but also among all classes of the community. Any measures which the 

 Government may find possible with a view to the publication and diffusion of such 

 knowledge cannot fail to be highly beneficial." 



In the annual return of the rainfall prepared in 1879 for the 

 information of the Secretary of State, considerable tracts were 

 unrepresented, owing to the absence of registers. Measures were 

 therefore taken during the following year to supply the.se deficien- 

 cies, and to establish rain-gauge stations in the Tributary Mehals of 

 Orissa, Chutia Nagpur, South Rewa, the eastern districts of the 

 Central Provinces, Jaipur, Bastar, and also in Khairpur, on the 

 borders of Sind. An endeavour was made to do the same in 

 Western Rajputana. Rainfall registers for the past six years were 

 also obtained from several stations in Haidarabad, so that this 

 territory was as well represented as most other parts of India. 

 T 2 



