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places which have been loudly spoken of on the score of health that have ' 
gained their repute from insufficient observation. The observations that 
ought to be taken, in order to give any reliable degree of authenticity as to 
the healthiness of a locality, should be extended over a long period of 
years. 
Mr. T. K. Callard, F.G.S. — I should like to ask the author of the paper 
if his observations have led him to notice whether, after long-continued frosts, 
we usually have a very large rainfall ? The reason I put this question is 
that geologists generally accept the evidence of a pluvial period having 
followed the glacial period. It is estimated that at this pluvial period the 
rainfall was 125 times what it now is. I want to know, therefore, whether 
it has fallen within the range of Mr. Bateman’s observation that there is 
any relation between a period of long-continued frost and a large rainfall, — 
whether he thinks the one is really the cause of the other ? There is more in 
this question than may appear at the first glance, for one of the results 
of this pluvial period would be the rapidity with which the river valleys 
would be eroded ; and upon this question arises another and a very important 
one on the antiquity of man ; one of the arguments relied upon in support 
of that theory being the many flint implements found in certain spots 
where the river valleys have been eroded,— a process that would have taken 
a certain length of time under existing circumstances, which time would 
have been altogether altered if there had been a rainfall amounting to 125 
times that of the present day. 
Sir J. Fayrer. — I should like to ask a question which, probably, Mr. 
Bateman can answer. It is one that is germane to the subject under 
discussion. The west coast of Scotland is very wet ; the reason for this being 
the Gulf Stream and the warm currents of air which that stream brings with it. 
I should like Mr. Bateman to tell me why it is that the northern part of the 
east coast of Scotland is mild and temperate, and displays an equable extreme, 
which is higher even than that of many parts of central England ? Is it 
owing to the warm air blowing across from the west, or is the water warmed 
in coming round John O’Groat’s House? I confess that this has always 
been more or less of a puzzle to me. 
Mr. Bateman. — I am afraid I cannot answer Sir Joseph Fayrer’s question, 
except by supposing that it is in some way owing to the effect of the 
Gulf Stream. There is no doubt that the temperature depends very 
much indeed on the rainfall. Bain is the consequence of the condensation 
and precipitation of the moist atmosphere, and therefore, properly speaking, 
when rain falls it is in consequence of aqueous vapour arising from the 
surface of land or ocean meeting with a colder stratum of air, when 
condensation takes place, and the moisture is precipitated in the form of rain, 
whereby the plain on which it falls ought to be cooled. But I remember a 
gentleman named Hopkins, who contended that whenever it rained it was 
warmer than at other times. This ought not to be, because, if we suppose 
the rain to be the consequence of condensation and precipitation in a cold 
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