Chap. XX. DUST-STORMS. 335 
tempered by the rains which fall copiously at that 
season, particularly in May and June, and some- 
times as late as July. Judging from our expe- 
rience in 1861, the rainy season does not extend 
so far north as Tien-tsin. That the difference 
is most marked will be seen by the following 
table, in which Macao and Tien-tsin are com- 
pared : — - 
May . . 2-585 
June . .1-795 
July . . 1-035 
August . 6-75 
September 2-52 
It is just possible that the year 1861 may have 
been one of unusual dryness, and that future 
observations may record a larger fall of rain 
during the months just quoted. 
Dust-storms of a very remarkable character 
frequently occur in this part of China. They 
come on suddenly, and a thick darkness covers the 
land for many hours together. On the 26th of 
March in the present year (1862) one of a very 
extraordinary kind was experienced, which is 
thus described in the ‘ North China Herald * by 
Dr. Lamprey : — 
“ During the greater portion of the day the 
wind was blowing from the south in rather strong 
gusts, almost approaching to a gale. At 3h. 15m. 
p.m. the wind suddenly shifted to N.N.W. in a 
strange manner, when all at once the air was 
filled with dust, and the sun and light became 
