194 A. G. HAMILTON. 
and the fall of rain has much diminished, consequent on felling 
the forests ; even within six years, the hailstorms have been far 
less frequent and violent.”* He then goes on to say: “The air 
on the hills is highly electrical, owing no doubt to the dryness of 
the atmosphere, and to this the frequent recurrence of hailstorms 
may be due.” Here the author seems to contradict himself. He 
first says that hailstorms have been far less frequent and violent, 
and then that their frequent occurrence is due to dryness of the 
atmosphere. This, however, may be due to a misprint of “less” for 
‘‘more” in the first passage quoted ; and the important point is 
the opinion of so distinguished a scientific man, that deforesting 
lessens rainfall. But Iam of opinion that such a statement unless 
upheld by meteorological records showing a progressive diminution 
of rainfall, is not to be depended upon as evidence that destruc- 
tion of forests lessens humidity. 
Mr. J. Ednie Brown says, ‘‘ Scientific observation and research 
have, in the course of a century, proved beyond the question of 
doubt, that large tracts of forest country have a direct, a lasting, 
and a beneficial effect upon the climate; that a wise process of 
reforestation not only increases but equalises the rainfall, purifies 
the atmosphere, subdues aridity, prevents sudden floods, and as a 
natural consequence greatly tends to encourage increased settle- 
ment.”* And he quotes Dr. J. C. Brown’s work on “ Forests and 
Moisture” as follows: “ It will generally be found that the tem- 
perature, both of the earth and of the atmosphere, is lower amidst 
abundant vegetation than in a barren, sterile, stony district ; 
probably the heat being absorbed and retained in a latent form 
by the process of vegetation in the one case, while in the other it 
is reflected unchanged. In consequence of this, if a wind in any 
degree hotter blow over a district covered with trees, this wind is 
cooled down; its power of hoiding water in a state of vapour is 
thereby diminished in a geometrical ratio with every fall of tem- 
perature, and a large deposit of moisture may follow in the form 
* Himalayan Journal. 
+ Report of State Forest. Administration for 1890, p. 2. 
