By J. F. Royle, Esq. 



459 



duction of European plants, and the gradual acclimatizing of species 

 from the colder parts of the mountains. Hither also for several years, 

 Europeans have been in the habit of resorting from March to October, 

 to escape from the hot weather and rains of the plains, or from the 

 effects of diseases generally induced by residence in a hot climate. 

 It is therefore on many accounts interesting to ascertain the nature 

 of the climate ; and with reference to the objects of this Society, 

 the information will be useful for the cultivation of many other 

 plants from similar localities, besides that immediately in question. 

 It should however be premised, that as Mussooree is the lowest 

 level at which Benthamia is found in that latitude, in any account 

 of its climate, we shall not see the minimum of cold it is capable 

 of bearing, but only the maximum of heat in which it is naturally 

 found. 



Mussooree in lat. 30^ and long. 78° E. forms part of the range 

 which runs in a N. E. direction between the Ganges and Jumna 

 rivers, rising immediately above the Deyra valley, which is se- 

 parated from the plains by a lower range of mountains, to an 

 elevation of 6500 to 7000, though Lundour is 7500 and other 

 parts of the same range as high as 9000 feet. 



The range of the thermometer is about 53°, from the maximum 

 80° occurring in May, to the minimum 27° in February, with an 

 annual mean temperature of about 56° ; the seasons may be divided 

 into winter, summer with a short spring, rainy season and autumn. 

 The climate is remarkable for its equability of temperature from 

 night to day, from day to day, and also in a great measure from 

 month to month. The nights are generally mild and still, and as 

 this stillness continues until 9 or 10 in the morning, the heat feels 

 more oppressive from 8 to 10 than at any other time of the day ; 

 and the maximum of temperature is nearly attained at the latter 

 hour, after which all accumulation of heat is prevented by the 

 cooling effects of the breeze which ascends from the vallies. The 



