The State of the Weather, and some of the Productions of the Earth, in Palestine.

In September the mercury is about the same (according to Russel, at Aleppo,) as at the latter end of August, 85° or 86°, except that in the afternoon it rises higher. In rainy weather it falls 3o or 4o, till it gets down to 65°.; but the variation of one day does not exceed 3° or 4o; and, when it rains, 1o or 2°.

Great heat in the day, and nights cold.

Rain frequently falls at the latter end of this month.

There are abundance of grapes ripe, and citrons and oranges, pomegranates, pears, and plums.

Cotton is gathered ripe.

They begin to plow and sow.

In October, the Mercury in the morning stands, for the most part, before the rainy days, at 72°. It does not rise in the afternoon above 5° or 6°. After the rains, it descends gradually to 60°. The variation of one day seldom, on rainy days never, exceeds 3° or 4°. Sometimes the rainy season, (called the early or former rain, Deut. xi. 14. Hosea vi. 3. Joel ii. 23. James v. 7.)

The extreme heat is now abated.

The dew is more plentiful than with us.

Wheat and barley are sown.

The latter grapes are gathered.

In November, as the month advances, the mercury gradually falls from 60° to 50°. The variation of one day is not more than from 2o to 5o.

If the rainy season has not begun, it certainly commences this month.

The heat of the sun is considerable in the day, but the nights are very cold.

WEATHER, PRODUCTIONS, &c.

In December, the mercury usually stands all the month at about 46°. It frequently gets up in the afternoon, if there is no rain, 3o.

Rain falls in this month.

Frost and snow. The cold is sometimes very piercing, so that persons have sometimes perished from it. The snow seldom remains all day upon the ground. When the sun shines, and there is a calm, the atmosphere is hot.

Corn and pulse are sown. Grass and herbs spring up after the rain.

Flocks brought from the mountains into the plains. In January, at 9 A. M. the mercury between 40° and 46° does not rise above 3° or 4o in the afternoon. On rainy or cloudy days it seldom exceeds 1° or 2o, and frequently does not rise at all. There is snow on the mountains, but near Jericho the cold is hardly felt. The winter is chiefly remarkable for frequent showers, which fall more at night than in the day. By these the brooks, rivers, &c. swell; and especially the river Jordan and the Dead Sea. The cold is never so severe as to prevent the farmers sowing their lands. All kinds of corn sown. Towards the middle of the month, when the sky is clear, it is so hot, that travellers with difficulty prosecute their journey.

Most trees are in leaf before those of the preceding year are entirely fallen off. The winter fig is still found on the trees, though stripped of leaves. The almond tree in blossom,

Beans in blossom.

In February, for the first fourteen days, the mercury usually stands between 42° and 47°; afterwards, except the weather should become cold, it rises gradually to 50°.

Chiefly remarkable for rain. Towards the middle of the month the snows and winter colds cease.

Barley sometimes sown at Aleppo, till the beginning of this month.

The peach tree and early apple in blossom.

Cauliflowers at Aleppo in great plenty.

Cold. 10. The Israelites passed over Jordan' which was then overflowed.

On this day every one provided himself a lamb or a kid for the passover. 14. In the evening, the Paschal Lamb killed.

Put away all leavened bread.
15. The Passover, Feast of unleavened
bread. After sun-set they gathered a
sheaf of Barley, which they brought
into the Temple.

16. The Sheaf of Barley, as the first-
fruits of the harvest, offered.
The beginning of Harvest.

From this day they begin to count 50
days, to the Feast of Pentecost.

21. The end of the Passover and unleavened Bread. The Jews in this month prayed for the latter rain.

Harvest.

6. They fasted three days for excesses committed during the Feast of the Passover, that is, on Monday, Thursday, and the Monday following.

14. The Second Passover (Numb. ix. 10, 11.) in favour of those who could not, or were not suffered to celebrate the Passover the last month.

9th. 3d.

6. Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks. The first-fruits of the Wheat Harvest were presented in two Loaves made with fine flour and leaven.

June.

Sum-
mer.

WEATHER, PRODUCTIONS, &c.

In March, in the middle of the month, the mercury stands at 52°, towards the latter end, between 56° and 58°. In the beginning of the month, it does not rise in the afternoon above 5o; towards the end 8° or 9o.

Ewes yean their lambs.

Rain, called the latter rain, Deut. xi. 14. Zech. x. 1.) which prepares for the harvest, and makes the grain swell. The rivers swell from the rain, and thawing of the snow.

Great heat in the plains of Jericho; persons have died through the heat of the sun.

Barley ripe at Jericho; and the wheat is in the ear, and beginning to ripen.

The fig-tree blossoms even while the winter fig is on the tree.

The vine produces the first clusters; about Sidon they have a triple produce in the year.

Oranges ripe.

In April the mercury rises gradually from 60° to 66°: In the afternoon, when the sky is clear, rises 8° or 10°.

Frequent rains. Heat excessive near Jericho. Grass very high.

The harvest depends on the duration of the rainy season.

Barley generally cut down this month.

Wheat begins to ripen.

Locusts appear.

In May, at the beginning of the month, the mercury reaches 70°, then it rises gradually from 76° to 80. In the afternoon it rises 6° or 9o. The snow on Libanus thaws rapidly.

The grass and herbs have grown in some places above a yard high. Hay probably made now-and sheep-shearing.

Barley sometimes not all cut down till this month. Wheat is cut. Dr. Clarke, (vol. ii. 4to. p. 464,) near Tiberias, says, "the harvest of wheat and barley ended in June; but the oats were still standing."

Early apples ripe.

Excessive heat sometimes renders the earth barren, as a sharp winter does with us.-North and east winds increase heat. West wind decreases it at Aleppo.