Albany, N. Y., lat. 42 deg. 39' | 8.3 | 9.8 | 12.3 | 10.3 | 40.7
Minnesota, Iowa, lat. 41 deg. 28' | 7.3 | 12.3 | 17.4 | 11.7 | 48.8
St. Peters'g, Russ., lat. 59 deg. 56'| 3.89 | 3.20 | 5.70 | 4.71 | 17.51
Pekin, China, lat. 40 deg. | .54 | 3.35 | 18.80 | 2.29 | 25.68
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Pekin lies in the northern part of China, and would have a much larger
fall of rain from a concentrated counter-trade, but for the numerous
mountain-ranges which intersect its path in winter, but over which it
passes at a greater elevation during the summer--a peculiarity from which
the eastern section of this country is most remarkably and happily free.

Thus, it is obvious that the focus of precipitation in the zone of extra
tropical rains, is some 8 deg. to 12 deg. north of its southern line, and travels
with the whole machinery in its annual transit north and south.

It is a question of some difficulty, perhaps, whether this focus is
increased by the increase of magnetic action at this point, for both the
line of descent of the counter-trade, and the focus of magnetic action,
are carried up in a like manner, and for a like cause, and, in all
probability, both concur in the result.

There is exceeding wisdom in this provision for the gradual subsidence of
the counter-trade, and gradual increase of magnetic intensity, and
consequent gradual precipitation. On the European continent, and over
western Asia, there are 50 deg. of latitude to be supplied with moisture by
this polar belt of rains. If the focus of precipitation was at its
southern border, the counter-trade would be deprived of its moisture at
that point, and little would reach the more northern portions of the globe
which are to be supplied by it. But the movement of the whole machinery
carries up the southern line from the south boundaries of the Barbary
States on to the Mediterranean and portions of southern Europe, and the
focus of precipitation and of near approach of the counter-trade to the
earth, being situated far north of the southern line, is carried up
correspondingly, while the combination of the moisture with the atmosphere
by south polar magnetism and electricity, and the gradual descent of the
counter-trade, enable it to resist, to some extent, the influence of north
polar magnetism and cold, and thus retain portions of its moisture for
distribution in the polar