390 METEOROLOGICAL REPORT, 1885. 
month was that registered at the Water-Works Reservoir, 
Thompson Road, viz., 0.63 inches. 
24, As already noticed by others, it is interesting to 
study the Singapore tables of rainfall, and to observe how 
every few years, varying apparently from 8 to 10, we have 
a very large annual fall of rain, and a smaller fall, though 
still above the average, about every five years. Such 
seems, at least, to be the more or less general result, if we 
look at the records from their very commencement until now. 
25. What degree of influence the forest denudation 
happily now checked), which has been going on here for 
some years, has had on our rainfall, it is difficult to say, but 
considering the situation of Singapore island relatively to 
the two monsoons, and the very few nills we have high 
enough to affect much the rain-bearine clouds, I do not 
think it has been very great. 
26. That, however, forest desiccation does influence rain- 
fall materially, there can be little doubt. Of this, many 
proofs now exist, but in further confirmation may be quoted 
an article which appeared early in this year in an Hast Ame- 
rican paper called the Southern Bivouac upon the forest 
destruction which has been going on recently in that country 
The writing is clothed in the tall but quaint and pithy lan- 
ouage of a Transatlantic cousin, whose view, though pessi- 
mistic, doubtless yet contains much truth. It is headed 
‘Forest Desiccation ” and runs thus :— 
“Tf the progress of tree destruction in the Western 
Alleghanies, should continue at the present rate, the yearly 
inundations of the Ohio valley will soon assume an appalling 
aspect, and ere lone the scenes of the river suburbs of Louis- 
ville and Cincinnati will repeat themselves at Nashville and 
Chattanooga, while the summers will become hotter and 
drier. In the Gulf States, the work of desiccation has made 
alarming advances, brooks and streams shrink from year to 
year, and warm summers expose the gravel of river beds 
which fifty years ago could hardly be touched by the keels 
of heavy laden ves sels. Eas$ America is drying up; even 
in the paradise of the blue grass region, the fallin of springs 
has driven many stock-raisers with their herds to the 
mountains,” 
