460 



Some Account of ' Benthamiafragifera, fyc. 



transition to the rains makes but little difference in the tempera- 

 ture, but the moisture is considerable. At the conclusion of the 

 rainy season the sky is clear and serene, and the air delightfully mild. 



From the middle of November the weather becomes cold; in 

 December storms occur and snow falls, but seldom lies on the top 

 of the range for more than a few days, though in sheltered places 

 it is of course longer in becoming melted. In January and February 

 the weather is steadily cold, and though the climate is usually ex- 

 tremely regular in the increase and decrease of temperature, the 

 only great and sudden changes take place in the latter month ; for, 

 analogous to what so frequently takes place in England, a severe 

 snow storm sometimes occurs even after returning warmth has 

 induced some revival of vegetation. In two or three years, the 

 severest snow storms of the season, and in one year the minimum 

 of temperature 27° occurred about the middle of February. In 

 another year even on the 4th of March, though January is altogether 

 the coldest month. The mean temperature of the winter months 

 may be considered about 45°. The thermometer is frequently 

 near, but seldom below the freezing point, and in the middle of the 

 day generally about 55°. 



In Europe the revival of nature takes place in that month of 

 which the mean temperature reaches 42° or 46°, but at the Mus- 

 sooree probably from the milder winter, the heat required is greater, 

 as the general reaction in vegetation takes place about the beginning 

 or middle of March, which may be considered the spring month, 

 and its temperature 53° being 8° above that of February, is more 

 than is sufficient for the developement of vegetation in Europe, 

 where the analogous increase which amounts to 10° or 12° takes 

 place between April and May. The similarity in the equalizing 

 effects of the air on temperature to what is produced by the sea is 

 here observable, for it is remarked by Humboldt that the increase 

 of the vernal temperature is small (scarcely 7°), and equally pro- 



