206 



Ijifluence of the Physical Character 



contains a greater number of streams than that to the north, 

 and, probably the waters flowing southward have an aggre- 

 gate volume equal to many times that of the southern tribu- 

 taries of the Murray. 



From this rapid glance at the main features of the coun- 

 try, we are led to Infer that very little practical import- 

 ance can attach to meteorological observations limited to one 

 locality. For example, the fall of rain in Melbourne will be 

 greater than that in the northern part of the Wimmera district. 

 Again, that of the Ovens district must be different to either 

 of these — ^judging alone from the local peculiarities of con- 

 figuration. Indeed It would be difficult to calculate the 

 rainfall in any given district, even to a remote approxima- 

 tion, by data resting on observations in a place situated as 

 Melbourne Is. 



As the above may seem to be arbitrary opinions, I will at 

 once advert to the more obvious causes which influence the 

 climate of a country. 



It is impossible, under existing circumstances, to confine 

 my observations to Victoria, since we are possessed of only 

 a small amount of information respecting climatic variations 

 in inland districts. Authenticated cases of variation in other 

 countries, however, can teach us important lessons. 



Causes of Differences in Climate.^ — The climate of a 

 country, its coldness or warmth, the degree of moisture or 

 dryness in the atmosphere, is not dependent altogether upon 

 its distance from the equator, but is modified, nay. Indeed, 

 sometimes entirely altered, by other lands in its neighbour- 

 hood, by its insular position, or by its proximity to seas of 

 great depth, j^galn. Its general configuration — its systems 

 of hills and valleys, produce local effects not. less appreciable 

 than the former. 



There are lands In the southern latitudes, in the same pa- 

 rallel as the north of Scotland, where the line of perpetual 

 snow descends to the level of the sea ; and, as an illustration 

 of the changes produced by local causes, I may mention the 

 great difference between the climate of Victoria and that of 

 the northern part of New Zealand, f 



The peculiarities in the climate of Australia are owing 



* Those who may be desirous to obtain the best' information on this subject 

 would do well to consult L yell's " Principles of Geology," chap. vii. p. 92, also 

 Humboldt on Isothermal Lines, there quoted. 



t During the summer months, in New Zealand, the temperature is generally 

 about 70O, and I am not aware that it is ever above SO^. In winter it varies 

 from 420 to 52o. 



