INFLUENCE OF THE FOREST ON PRECIPITATION. 
195 
with reference to the seasons, show the following pluviometric 
l’esults: 
FOE LA GRENETIERE. 
February, 1852, . 
November, “ 
January, 1853, . 
Total, . . 
42.2 millimetres precipitation. 
28.8 “ “ 
35.4 “ “ 
106.4 in three cold months. 
September, 1851, . 
May, 1852, . 
June, “ 
July, “ 
September, “ 
27.1 millimetres precipitation. 
20.9 
56.3 
22.8 
22.8 
u 
u 
u 
Total, . . 
. 149.9 in five warm months. 
FOR LE BOTJCHAT. 
February, 1852, . 
November, “ 
January, 1853, . 
Total, , . 
51.3 millimetres precipitation. 
36.6 “ “ 
92.0 “ “ 
179.9 in three cold months. 
September, 1851, . 
May, 1852, . 
June, “ 
July, “ 
September, “ 
43.8 
millimetres precipitation. 
13.2 
tt 
tt 
55.5 
u 
u 
19.5 
a 
u 
26.5 
it 
u 
Total, 
158.5 in five warm months. 
These observations, so far as they go, seem to show that 
more rain falls in cleared than in wooded countries, bnt this 
result is so contrary to what has been generally accepted as a 
theoretical conclusion, that further experiment is required to 
determine the question. 
Becquerel—whose treatise on the climatic effects of the 
destruction of the forest is the fullest general discussion of that 
subject known to me—does not examine this particular point, 
and as, in the summary of the results of his investigations, he 
does not ascribe to the forest any influence upon precipitation, 
the presumption is that he rejects the doctrine of its import¬ 
ance as an agent in producing the fall of rain. 
