1849.] 



exercised hy Trees 071 Climate. 



461 



The arrival of the sea breezes from the Malabar coast may also 

 be noticed occasionally at Bangalore, in the months of April and 

 May, sometimes early in the night, but more generally towards 

 morninsr. 



o 



Between Sedasheaghnr and Mangalore the line of ghats is eve- 

 ry where, I believe, of but moderate altitude, not probably any 

 where above 2,000 feet, and without high chains of mountains, 

 so that the sea breeze can pass over them at that season without 

 any material obstruction, and to the influence of these moist breezes 

 from the sea may possibly in part be ascribed the success of the 

 cotton cultivation experiments to the west of Darwar, 



These are points to which I have not observed that very much 

 attention has been given, or at least few observations recorded. The 

 temperature of the different seasons has been attended to, but not so 

 much so I think the fall of rain, or the degree of humidity in the at- 

 mosphere. The climate of the southern or cottoii districts of Ame- 

 rica, New Orleans and Florida, is noticed by Dr. Forry as remark- 

 able for its equable temperature as well as its extreme humidity. 



He says " This remarkable equality in the distribution of tempe- 

 rature among the seasons in Florida, compared with the other re- 

 gions of the United States, constitutes its chief climatic pecuHarity.'^ 



In regard to humidity, he adds : 



" That the air is much more humid than in our more northern 

 regions is sufficiently cognizable to the senses." The deposition of 

 dew even in the winter is generally very great. To guard against 

 the oxidation of metals " as for instance surgical instruments, is a 

 matter of extreme difficulty. During the summer, books become 

 covered wdth mould, and keys rust in one's pocket." 



How different must be the climate of our Indian Cotton districts 

 of Bellary, Ooimbatore, and Tinnevelly. 



The tables of rain in the foregoing papers are original, and the 

 fxrst I believe of their kind. They were set on foot, as I have al- 

 ready noticed, without the view of explaining any particular theory 

 of climate. The extraordinary quantity of rain that fell on the high 

 table land of the ghats near Trevandrum first drew my attention to 

 the subject, and the theory of the condensation of the vapour caused 

 by the mountain chains seemed to offer so perfect an explanation that 

 I sought for no other. A farther investigation of the subject sug- 



