Himalayan Journals, vol 2 by J. D. Hooker (great reads TXT) 📖

265

March 37 41.9 196

April 7 36.0 236

March and April 29 37.3 224

July 83 23.6 389

August 74 22.4 415

September 95 25.7 350

October 18 29.5 297

Sum 454 Mean 31.1 Mean 296 ft.

These, it will be seen, give a result which approximates to that of the sets I and II. Being deduced from observations at different

exposures, the effects of these may be supposed to be eliminated.

It is to be observed that the probable results of the addition of

November and December's observations, would be balanced by those of May and June, which are hot moist months.

IV.--_Miscellaneous cold weather observations made at various

elevations between 1000 and 17,000 feet, during my journey into east Nepal and Sikkim, in November to January 1848 and 1849.

The equivalent to 1 degree Fahr. was deduced from the mean of all

the observations at each station, and these being arranged in sets

corresponding to their elevations, gave the following results._

Number of Number of Equivalent

Elevation Stations Observations 1 degree F.=

1,000 to 4,000 ft. 27 111 215 ft.

4,000 to 8,000 ft. 52 197 315

8,000 to 12,000 ft. 20 84 327

12,000 to 17,000 ft. 14 54 377

Sum 113 Sum 446 Mean 308 ft.

The total number of comparative observations taken during that

journey, amounted to 563, and the mean equivalent was 1 degree=303

feet, but I rejected many of the observations that were obviously

unworthy of confidence.

V.--_Miscellaneous observations (chiefy during the rainy season)

taken during my journey into Sikkim and the frontier of Tibet,

between May 2nd and December 25th, 1848. The observations were

reduced as in the previous instance. The rains on this occasion were unusually protracted, and cannot be said to have ceased till

mid-winter, which partly accounts for the very high temperatures._

Number of Number of Equivalent

Elevation Stations Observations 1 degree F.=

1,000 to 4,000 ft. 10 45 422 ft.

4,000 to 8,000 ft. 21 283 336

8,000 to 12,000 ft. 18 343 355

12,000 to 17,000 ft. 29 219 417

Sum 78 Sum 890 Mean 383 ft.

The great elevation of the temperature in the lowest elevations is

accounted for by the heating of the valleys wherein these

observations were taken, and especially of the rocks on their floors.

The increase with the elevation, of the three succeeding sets, arises from the fact that the loftier regions are far within the mountain

region, and are less forest clad and more sunny than the

outer Himalaya.

A considerable number of observations were taken during this journey at night, when none are recorded at Calcutta, but which are

comparable with contemporaneous observations taken by Mr. Muller at Dorjiling. These being all taken during the three most rainy months, when the temperature varies but very little during the whole

twenty-four hours, I expected satisfactory results, but they proved very irregular and anomalous.

The means were--

At 21 stations of greater elevation than Dorjiling 1 degree=348 ft.

At 17 stations lower in elevation 1 degree=447 ft.

VI.--_Sixty-four contemporaneous observations at Jillapahar, 7,430 feet, and the bed of the Great Rungeet river, 818 feet; taken in January and February, give 1 degree=322 feet.

VII.--_Observations taken by burying a thermometer two and a half to three feet deep, in a brass tube, at Dorjiling and at various

elevations near that station._

Month February and March

Upper Stations Jillapahar, 7,430 feet

Lower Stations Leebong, 6000 feet

1 degree= 269 feet

Month February

Upper Stations Jillapahar, 7,430 feet

Lower Stations Guard-house, Great Rungeet, 1,864 feet

1 degree= 298 feet

Month April

Upper Stations Leebong, 6000 feet

Lower Stations Guard-house, Great Rungeet, 1,864 feet

1 degree= 297 feet

Month April

Upper Stations Jillapahar, 7,430 feet

Lower Stations Khersiong, 4,813 feet

1 degree= 297 feet

Month March and April

Upper Stations Khersiong, 4,813 feet

Lower Stations Punkabaree, 1,850 feet

1 degree= 223 feet

Month March, April, May

Upper Stations Jillapahar, 7,430 feet

Lower Stations Punkabaree, 1,850 feet

1 degree= 253 feet

Mean 1 degree=273 feet

The above results would seem to indicate that up to an elevation

of 7,500 feet, the temperature diminishes rather more than 1 degree Fahr. for every 300 feet of ascent or thereabouts; that this

decrement is much leas in the summer than in the winter months; and I may add that it is less by day than by night. There is much

discrepancy between the results obtained at greater or less

elevations than 7000 feet; but a careful study of these, which I have arranged in every possible way, leads me to the conclusion that the proportion map be roughly indicated thus:--

1 degree=300 feet, for elevations from 1000 to 8000 feet.

1 degree=320 feet, for elevations from 8000 to 10,000 feet.

1 degree=350 feet, for elevations from 10,000 to 14,000 feet.

1 degree=400 feet, for elevations from 14,000 to 18,000 feet.

VIII.--Khasia mountain observations.

Churra Poonji

Date June 13 to 26

Calcutta Observations 86.3 degrees

Number of Observations 63

Churra Observations 70.1 degrees

Number of Observations 67

1 degree= 300 feet

Altitude above the Sea 4,069 feet

Date August 7 to September 4

Calcutta Observations 84.6 degrees

Number of Observations 196

Churra Observations 69.2 degrees

Number of Observations 214

1 degree= 331 feet

Altitude above the Sea 4,225 feet

Date October 29 to November 16

Calcutta Observations 80.7 degrees

Number of Observations 85

Churra Observations 63.1 degrees

Number of Observations 133

1 degree= 282 feet

Altitude above the Sea 4,225 feet

Total Calcutta Observations 354

Total Churra Observations 414

Mean 1 degree= 304 feet

Kala-panee

Date June, Aug., Sept.

Calcutta Observations 85.5 degrees

Number of Observations 35

Khasia Observations