144 
hints to travellers. 
Ascertain if any goods are brought into the country from the outside ; 
if so, what they are, where they come from, and as accurate an estimate 
as possible of quantity, or value, or both. In the case of imports from 
civilised countries, are those of any particular country preferred, and, if 
so, why ? Is it owing to anything special in quality, or pattern, or 
cost, means of communication, or in quantity available? Is there 
any special tribe of middlemen who prevent the inland people from 
coming into direct relation with traders? Probably a market could 
be created for outside manufactures which have not as yet been 
introduced into the country; or such manufactures might easily obtain a 
market in preference to those of native make. Note especially the patterns 
of articles of native make, as these are probably adapted to the conditions 
of the country, and should therefore be imitated or improved upon in 
the case of imported goods, the quality of the latter being better, and 
the cost, if possible, lower. Note also whether European methods 
might not be introduced with advantage for the manufacture of native 
goods. 
Climate. —This is an essential item, so far as the exploitation of tropical 
and semi-tropical countries by Europeans is concerned. Its main elements 
are determined by temperature, latitude, altitude, and rainfall; the character 
of thq surface should also be taken into account. Under Meteorology, the 
main directions on the subject are given. The temperature at different 
seasons and at different times of the day (say 9 A.M., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.) 
should be ascertained, and that at various altitudes. Eainfall obser¬ 
vations are not of much service unless they can be obtained over a 
continuous series of years. Ascertain the distribution of rainfall over the 
year, and the limits of the rainy period of the year, when such period 
exists, and, if possible, the quantity which falls in the different months of 
the period; how does the rainfall differ with altitude and other topo¬ 
graphical variations ? If a country is subject to droughts, it is important 
to ascertain if there is any periodicity in these droughts, and how they 
affect the resources and prospects of the country, and the condition of 
the rivers. Would it be possible by storage of water, or other means, to 
counteract to any extent the bad effects of drought ? 
What effect has the rainy period and the drought period on the native 
inhabitants, and especially on Europeans ? As far as possible, ascertain 
the birth and death rate per annum. 
