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54 THE EXPLORATION OF THE CAUCASUS
Baikal", in its heart, are still a desideratum. The rainfall map in
Keclus will require correction by the light of the recent publications
of the Russian Meteorolofifical Office.*
The heaviest fall, sometimes over a hundred inches per annum,
is where the sea-winds strike the first hills at Batum and Kutais.
It is somewhat less at Sukhum, and diminishes also westwards
towards Kertch. Generally, the tendency is to relative dryness as
3'ou go eastwards across the isthmus. At first sight it may seem
a curious exception that the rainfall at Vladikavkaz (32 inches)
should be far in excess of that of the Caucasian Baths (18 inches).
This, however, is sufficiently explained by the fact that Elbruz,
acting as a great condenser, draws to itself and precipitates clouds
which pass more easily through the gap of the Mamison.
the climate of the Western Caucasus is much moister
Generally,
and less warm than that of the Western Pyrenees. The rainfall
at Kutais is double that at Pau, and about equal to that at
Tolmezzo, at the head of the Adriatic ;
the mean annual tempera-
ture is slightly less than at Pau. The climate of Titiis is less dry,
hut somewhat hotter, than that of Madrid. The plains north of
the. chain, which are far colder in winter than the mountain
valleys, suffer greater extremes of temperature than the Swiss
lowlands. Summer comes in with a burst in May, but June or
July are often among the wettest months. The humidity
of the
summer climate is a danger to the mountaineer, and at once a
charm and a vexation to the traveller. When the west wind
blows in fine weather, clouds and a shower come up every aftei'-
noon from the Black Sea. The explorer risks being befogged
— no slight risk on the vast snowfields—and the snow on steep
slopes is kept in a veiy hazardous condition.
Readers will expect to be given a figure
for the snow-level.
Natural philosophers have spoken disrespectfully of late of the
sea-level. I have even heard an ex-President of the Geographical
Society suggest that it may vary to an extent of 500 feet," and
Wild, U., Vie Begcn-Vcrhiiltnisse dis Russisck