Victoria.—­No; because these are exceptional phenomena.  In the late Spring and during early summer the climate may be said to be occasionally subject to sharp and sudden changes, which give it the character of variability.  But the deviations from mean temperature, except for short periods, are not remarkable.

South Australia.—­Yes, in summer; but not in winter.

Queensland.—­Certainly not; with the exception of the wide diurnal range of temperature in winter in the southern “continental” districts, as at Cambooya and Thargomindah.  The changes are, according to my knowledge, far more sudden and marked in the southern colonies (as during a “shift” from N.E. by W., to S.W. for instance, at Melbourne, and especially at Adelaide) than in Queensland and its coastal districts.

With regard to sustained, prolonged, or continued high temperatures during the summer months, for how many days have you known the temperature remain continuously at A high level?  This is A very important question, as it concerns infantile mortality in no small degree; I shall be grateful for your experience?

New South Wales.—­Much depends upon what temperature is deemed a “high level.”  If we assume that 90 degrees and upwards is a high level, then such periods are very rare in Sydney; in fact during the past 24 years there have only been three.  In 1868 there were three consecutive hot days of which the mean temperature was 91.8 degrees; in 1870 a period of four days with a mean temperature of 91.3 degrees; and in 1874 a period of four days with a mean temperature of 90.2 degrees.  Since then, although sometimes near it, the temperature has never been for three days over 90 degrees.  Taking a lower level, we have one period of nine days in 1870, the longest on record, during which the mean temperature was 82.6 degrees.  It must, however, be distinctly understood that what is here taken is not the mean temperature of each 24 hours, but the highest temperature reached during the day, and which would not as a rule last more than three or four hours, if so much.  If the mean temperature of the day were taken these temperatures, as given, would have to be reduced at least 10 per cent.

Victoria.—­It is very unusual to have a hot period lasting more than three days; when it does happen it is generally in February or March.  In the majority of cases high temperatures (over 90 degrees) do not last more than one or two days.  The exceptions generally occur in February or March, and have sometimes extended to four or five days hot weather, with a temperature of over 80 degrees with a maximum of about 90 degrees, has on a few occasions during the last 30 years extended from five to ten days; and in 1890, a memorable instance, to 12 days (the only case for 37 years).