80 
GEOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 
temperature deceases with like conditions of humidity ; and increases 
still more directly with the greater variableness of the climate.” 
Indeed, so close is the relation between climate and the physical well 
being of man, that certain classes of diseases are distinctly climatographical 
affections, and are eliminated by proper climatic conditions. So well re- 
cognized is this fact that one of the most interesting and elaborate of the 
reports of the last census of the United States contains disease charts, — 
maps of the geographical range of certain causes of human mortality. 
And it is worthy of note, that one of the two tracts in the whole terri- 
tory of the United States, which is absolutely or almost free from that 
scourge of rigorous and extreme climates, pulmonary consumption, is lo- 
cated by these census maps along the plateau cast of the Blue Ridge in 
ISforth Carolina, to which the nearest meteorological station is that of Le- 
noir, which has been pointed out above as contrasted in the equability of 
its temperature with stations more than 100 miles east, and of less ele- 
vation. One of the causes, (which, however, cannot now be discussed), 
is doubtless the fact that this region is sheltered on two sides by the prox- 
imity of the Blue Ridge, which here reaches its extreme altitude, and 
stands as a protecting wall against the two prevalent and weather-con- 
trolling winds from the interior, those from the southwest and northwest, 
(and indeed from the north as well). 
Springs . — The list of springs given below is added here on account of 
the well known relation between the temperature of such sources (and 
that of wells, when they come from a depth of forty feet and upwards,) 
and the mean annual temperature, the former being a very fair expression 
of the latter. It will be seen that the observations with instruments 
receive a singularly strong confirmation from this source, as far as the evi- 
dence goes. The altitude is given, at least approximately, so that the 
effect of elevation may be eliminated, by allowing 3° for every 1,000 feet. 
LOCALITY. 
ELEVATION. 
TEMP. 
Cherokee, McDaniel Bald, 
4,300 feet, 
o 
GO 
Madison, Big Butt, 
4,500 
U 
49 
“ Big Bald, 
5,350 
u 
45 
Yancey, Proffitt’s, 
3,300 
u 
49 
“ Black Mountain, about 
6,500 
u 
40 
“ Burnsville, well, 
2,800 
a 
52.fi 
“ D. G. Ray’s, near Burnsville, 
2,900 
a 
52.5 
Mitchell, Roan, about 
5,000 
a 
49.3 
“ “ Cold Spring, 
6,100 
a 
45.1 
“ Flat Rock, Penland’s, 
2,800 
51 
