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CEYLON BRANCH 



may however be useful. The data for such a series, are in ex- 

 istence ; collection, comparison, and generalization is all that 

 is now requisite, in order to produce, a most valuable account 

 of the climate of Ceylon. 



Should, on the other hand, the data referred to be consi- 

 dered as wanting in precision, so much more urgent is the 

 call on us to commence without further delay, a series of ob- 

 servations not at one, or at two, but at many selected stations 

 throughout the Island. Even now Ceylon is so closely studded 

 with Government establishments, that one can scarce draw a 

 line of fifty miles in length on any part of it, without finding 

 ourselves in the neighbourhood of some Government Office and 

 some Government official. The opportunity is a tempting 

 one, no great sum would be required to furnish a number of 

 these stations with a few of the more useful meteorological 

 instruments. Intelligent native clerks, such as are now to be 

 met with every where, might learn the method of recording 

 these at once, and very soon feel an interest in the registers : 

 the deducing of results from these documents would be the 

 work of gentlemen accustomed to such calculations, and of 

 these there must now be many in the Island. 



In conclusion, I have only to acknowledge the courtesy 

 of James Caulfield, Esq., Government Agent of the North- 

 Western Province, and of S. C. Roe, Esq,, Deputy Inspector 

 General of Hospitals, for having so kindly granted me 

 permission to make use of the registers over which they 

 exercise controul. 



