THE METEOROLOGY OF GLEN NEVIS 655 



inches ; while at Limay, 120 miles farther to the east, the annual precipitation falls to 

 less than 6 inches. Owing to the absence of data, it is not possible to institute a direct 

 comparison between the precipitation on the windward and leeward sides of the Andes, 

 so as to show the enormous difference in the rainfall which explorers have observed 

 within a radius of a few miles. The influence of Fohn in such a region is most 

 noticeable. Dr Skottsberg, the well-known Swedish botanist and explorer, has 

 informed me that, near the Pacific coast, in the south of the province of Santa Cruz, 

 he has come across fertile valleys in which the snow rarely lies, and where, owing to 

 continuous Fohn, agricultural and pastoral pursuits can be prosecuted with comfort and 

 profit ; while in close proximity to these favoured spots, other areas, not sheltered from 

 the prevailing winds by the protecting mountains, were water-logged in summer and 

 snow-covered in winter. In these latter places, the north-west winds from the Pacific 

 sweep through the passes where the Andean chain is interrupted, and carry with them 

 the heavy rainfall and low temperature which render the climate of the west coast 

 of South America, between the parallels of 40° and 52° S., one of the wettest and most 

 inclement in the southern hemisphere. 



[Table IV. 



