216 J. H. MAIDEN. 



tion has been accompanied by a corresponding diminution in the 

 rainfall, and since 1863 there has been a more or less regular 

 reduction from 37-27 inch in 1863 to 14-23 inch in 1868. 1 This 

 is inconclusive, for the reason that the years referred to may have 

 been in a rainy cycle. 



"It is recorded of these, (part of Leeward Islands), that in 

 former times, they were clothed with dense forests, and the oldest 

 inhabitants remembered when the rains were abundant, and the 

 hills and all uncultivated places were shaded by extensive groves. 

 The removal of the trees was certainly the cause of the evil. The 

 opening of the soil to the vertical sun rapidly dries up the moisture, 

 and prevents the rain from sinking to the roots of plants. The 

 rainy seasons in these climates are not continuous cloudy days, 

 but successions of sudden showers with the sun shining hot in the 

 intervals. Without shade upon the surface the water is rapidly 

 exhaled, and the springs and streams diminish." 2 



See also a paper by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, m.a., p.r.s., 

 on the " Effects of forests vegetation on climate," 3 which 

 contains references to a number of authors, and which 

 provoked an interesting discussion. 



A pamphlet by Mr. F. S. Peppercorne, 4 gives a number 

 of instances of countries whose present aridity is attributed 

 to diminished rainfall caused by extensive cutting down 

 of trees. 



"Aragu affords an interesting example of the evil influence of 

 the wholesale destruction of trees in lessening running streams." 5 



J. Oroumbie Brown, (Op. eft., p. 112), gives additional 

 information in regard to this interesting locality. 



The Report of the Director of the Botanic Gardens of 

 Adelaide for 1881, has an appendix on "The influence of 



1 "Nature," i., 291. 



2 Letter from Dr. Hooker to Lord Kimberley, 1870. 



3 This Journal 1876, 179 et seq. 



* " The influence of forests on Climate and Rainfall/' Napier, N.Z., 1880. 

 5 J. M. Spence, "The Land of Bolivar," i., 159. 



