Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/471

1837.] seldom saw the sun; and the early part of the month was chiefly wet. February, and until the middle of March, was generally wet; nor have I often witnessed even during the regular rainy season, heavier or much more frequent falls of rain than took place in Assam at this period. On the most moderate computation, I do not think we could reckon the quantity of rain that fell during the three months above mentioned, at less than 15 inches; yet during the same period in Calcutta, I find on reference to 's Journal, that only 2 inches of rain fell—one shower only having taken place in December, January being dry throughout, and February affording but two days on which any rain whatever fell.

I have already hinted at the importance of Zoology as calculated to assist in casting a light upon the peculiarity of climates, and as affording data for the comparison of one with another. If we consider how instrumental birds for instance are, in the dissemination of plants, bow essential certain seeds and certain flowers are to the sup- port of certain animals and insects, we perceive at once rational grounds for expecting to be able to trace an accordance between the vegetable productions of our country, compared with those of another, when the Zoology of both agree in particular features; and hence the application of these principles to the present object.

The preponderance of Malayan over the northern forms in Assam, notwithstanding the lofty range of mountains which might be supposed to contribute to an opposite effect, and rather attract animals towards the south is an interesting indication which will be at least corrected, if not confirmed by my collections. But though lofty ranges of mountains afford climates equal to certain proportions of higher latitudes, yet animals in order to enjoy such insulated positions would be confined to ridges only, without being able to indulge their natural wandering propensities except under exposure to the heat of valleys. On the other hand, animals of the south may extend considerably beyond the strict limits of their geographical sphere, by taking advantage of the shelter of mountain chains, and thus experience no very remarkable change of circumstances from what nature intended they should bear; and in this way we may account for many of the peculiarities of the natural history of Assam, which are not confined to the tea plant, but extended to other species perhaps equally restricted in their habitat. In the animal kingdom the interesting genus Ciconia of presents two distinct species of crane as large as the adjutant (ciconia dubius) and which are quite unknown in Bengal or any other