45G 



The Valley of Nepaul 



£Oct. 



irig62° as the annual temperature. In the second, Rome, averaging 

 59°, and in the third, Lisbon, with a mean annual temperature of 60°. 

 These temperatures correspond remarkably with ours, as do in some 

 respects the vegetable productions of these countries. In the South of 

 Italy, rice, oranges and myrtles abound. In the Mediterranean cli- 

 mate, " the scarlet flowers of the pomegranate, the elegant myrtle, 

 and the fragrant exhalations of oranges obscured under a dark green 

 foliage, convince the stranger that he is in the garden of Europe.* In 

 the valley of Nepaul, the wild apricot, peach, pomegranate, and rasp- 

 berry, the cultivated orange, fig, citron, quince and apple, and the fin- 

 est odoured roses, myrtles, lilies, and carnations may well persuade the 

 Anglo-Indian that he is not far from the garden of Asia. 



The year here with reference to vegetation may be correctly enough 

 divided into five seasons, of which two are the most prominently mark- 

 ed, viz. the winter and rainy season ; the former by the complete re- 

 pose of vegetation and nature, as manifested by the russet hue of the 

 grass, and the bare brown earth of the cultivated land ; the latter by 

 the excessive luxuriance and vigour of the vegetable world. Coming 

 between the winter and rains, we have a pleasant spring, and a short 

 summer, and between the cessation of the rains and winter, a bright 

 and brilliant autumn. In a climate free from sudden vicissitudes of 

 temperature during the day, as well as on the change of seasons, and 

 remarkable for its equability, and temperate character, it is not easy to 

 define the separate seasons by dated limits. But the following parti- 

 tions of the year, have each their distinguishing marks in the vegeta- 

 ble kingdom, as well as to the animal senses. The winter commenc- 

 ing about the 15th November, and continuing till the 1st of March, is 

 marked by heavy morning fogs, an average temperature in the house 

 of about 48°, frequent hoarfrost at night, brownness and death of the 

 grass fields, and the total absence of green (save tow r ards its termina- 

 tion when the wheat gets up), from the arable land. The spring is 

 ushered in on the early days of March, by occasional evening storms 

 from the N. W., followed by showers of rain, or hail, a delightful breeze 

 from the west, which is welcomed into every house by open doors, 

 springs up at noon and blows till sunset. Quiet vernal show T ers are 

 frequent ; willow trees, apple trees and Indian lilacs, put forth their 

 leaves and blossoms ; the grass begins to sprout ; the wheat fields are 

 clothed in verdant hues ; the birds begin to pair and sing, and nature 

 throughout all her works is busy in reanimating her children, which 

 for a while, were permitted to rest from their labours. Summer sets 



* Malte Brun's Geography, vol. iii. p. 53, 



