the mean daily variation is in general less than that in other countries having the same latitude: it is greatest in January, when it reaches 18° F., and least in July, when it barely exceeds 9° F. The monthly variation is very great in March, when it usually reaches 43° F. Meteorology. During the first 40 years of the _Meiji_ era numerous meteorological stations were established. Reports are constantly forwarded by telegraph to the central observatory in Tokyo, which issues daily statements of the climatic conditions during the previous twenty-four hours, as well as forecasts for the next twenty-four. The whole country is divided into districts for meteorological purposes, and storm-warnings are issued when necessary. At the most important stations observations are taken every hour; at the less important, six observations daily; and at the least important, three observations. From the record of three decades the following yearly averages of temperature are obtained:-- F°. Taihoku (in Formosa) 71 Nagasaki (Kiushiu) 60 Kobe (Main Island) 59 Osaka (Main Island) 59 Okayama (Main Island) 58 Nagoya (Main Island) 58 Sakai (Main Island) 58 Tokyo (Capital) 57 Kioto (Main Island) 57 Niigata (Main Island) 55 Ishinomaki (Main Island) 52 Aomori (Main Island) 50 Sapporo (Yezo) 44 The following table affords data for comparing the climates of Peking, Shanghai, Hakodate, Tokyo and San Francisco:-- Mean Longitude. Latitude. Temp., F°. Peking 116° 29´ E. 39° 57´ N. 53 Shanghai 121° 20´ E. 31° 12´ N. 59 Hakodate 140° 45´ E. 41° 46´ N. 47 Tokyo 138° 47´ E. 35° 41´ N. 57 San Francisco 122° 25´ E. 37° 48´ N. 56 Mean Temp. of Hottest Month. Hottest Month. Peking July 80 Shanghai " 84 Hakodate August 71 Tokyo " 79 San Francisco September 63 Mean Temp. of Coldest Month. Coldest Month. Peking January 22 Shanghai " 26 Hakodate " 28 Tokyo " 36 San Francisco " 49 Rainfall.