(1.) Rainfall.

There is a widespread popular opinion that rain is attracted by standing forest. Much speculation has been expended on this question; but, so far as I have been able to learn, it has not led to any very satisfactory results. To a superficial view, the theory seems to be borne out by the fact that there is generally a greater rainfall in forest-covered districts than there is in open country—as, for instance, the west coast of New Zealand, which is heavily wooded, is much wetter than the country along the east coast, which is comparatively dry. But this is really to mistake cause for effect; and the truth is, so far as it can be ascertained, that the amount of precipitation is at least mainly determined by the topographical conditions of a country, apart from its vegetable covering—that, in fact, the rainfall is not caused or increased by the presence of the bush, but that the growth and conservation of the bush are promoted by the excessive rainfall. This contrast in the hygrometrical conditions of the east and west coasts is very easily accounted for. The moisture-laden winds from the ocean, meeting the steep face of the chain of hills which—with an occasional break—extend along the west coast of both Islands, are thrown up into a colder stratum, with the result that the moisture is immediately