STRAITS METEOEOLOUY. 249 



the latest information upon the whole question, from an impartial 

 standpoint. The mere reference here made to Dr. Huntee and 

 others is, however, so brief as to suggest but a fractional part of 

 what has already been done to establish as a fact the recurrence 

 of " the sun-spot and famine period," especially in India. 



Since the article in the Encyclopaedia, from which I have quoted, 

 was written, the outbreak of Cholera in Egypt last autumn has 

 drawn special attention to the periodicity of that mysterious disease. 

 An account of its recurrence in this century was published in the 

 Times last July, without any reference to any question of periodi- 

 city, but it was impossible to overlook the similarity of the intervals 

 marked by the dates there given : — 



*1832, 1849, 1866, 1883. 



The connection between Meteorology and periodical epidemics 

 forces itself into special notice in this Colony, with regard not 

 only to Cholera, but to another mysterious and fatal disease — 

 " Beri-Beri " — which is a far greater local scourge. 



The following extracts from recent official reports regarding out- 

 breaks of each disease will sufficiently show the claim which this 

 matter has on our attention : — 



" Amount of Bain during Cholera Epidemic. 



" 109. From the Return attached (G) it will be seen that the 

 total rainfall for the year was 66.19 inches, about 30 inches below 

 the average, I believe. During the months when the Cholera pre- 

 vailed the rainfall was as under : — 



1882. 



Inches. 



March, 



2.57 



April, 

 May, 



June, 



4.40 

 2.36 

 3.73 



July, 



2.92 



* This was the first appearance of Cholera in Europe, but it will be 

 remembered that it was in 1798 [ 1832 less (17x2)] that occurred the historical 

 outbreak in Egypt by which BoNArARTES movements were so hampered. 



