8 
formation caused by climate. The next chapter is, therefore, 
devoted to the climate of the mountain. 
II. CLIMATE. 
As Mt. Fuji lies in the monsoon region, it has a heavy 
precipitation in the summer, with clear weather in the winter. 
Accordingly, its vegetation up to the height of 1500m. is mostly 
summer green forest formation. Above that line, conifers are 
found predominating over deciduous trees. In this chapter, we 
shall try to examine the climatic character of the dilferent sides 
of the mountain. We have five meteorological stations, varying 
in altitudes from 100m. to 1000m., and located on different sides of 
Mt. Fuji. For the present investigation, it is necessary to take 
into account only the observations made at the altitude of about 
1000m. ; for the forest formation begins at that elevation. The 
five stations are not all in the tree regions, but it is possible 
for us to calculate the missing data from the known readings 
made at the base stations. 
The localities of the five stations are shown in the accom- 
panying sketch. They are as follows : 1) the Shiraito station, 
situated SAV. of the peak ; 2) the Shoji station, N.W. ; 3) the 
Omiya station, due S. ; 4) the Goten station, S.E. ; 5) the Nakano* 
station almost due E. 
The climatic elements which must be taken into considera- 
tion in investigating plant formation are: 1) rainfall; 2) tem- 
perature; 3) humidity; 4) sunshine; 5) wind-direction. 
Let us consider them one by one. 
1) Rainfall. It is a well known fact that other things being 
equal, the greater the rainfall the better for the vegetation. The 
following table shows the average rainfall for five years observed 
at the five stations. 
* Xakano is located very near Yamanaka in the accompanying sketch. 
