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of land and sea breezes takes place in summer from the north-north-east and south-south-west. The atmosphere, though free from high winds, is never quite calm, but invariably moved by a gentle breeze. The most injurious wind is the Leste, coming from east-south-east, and producing great heat and dryness; this unfavourable character may be due to its crossing the African desert. The Leste is not depressing, but stimulating, and sometimes very irritating to phthisical patients on account of its being charged with dust occasionally. It generally occurs three or four times a year, and lasts two or three days, mostly followed by rain. The great advantage of the climate consists in its extreme mildness and equability, there being only a mean annual range of 14°. The steadiness of temperature from day to day also surpasses that of most Italian winter resorts. Whilst a variation of 4° takes place in London, of 2·80° at Rome, of 2·33° at Nice, it only amounts to 1·11° here. Rainy days 70, mostly in autumn, leaving a clear and dry air afterwards;. but moisture nearly always saturates the atmosphere, so that a small degree of diminished heat produces rainfall. Even in summer the heat is not oppressive. The inhabitants are generally robust, but lepra, elephantiasis, apoplexy, dysentery, and even consumption often occur among them; many of these diseases, however, are to be attributed to their being ill-fed, clothed, and housed. The mean annual temperature is 64.96°: winter, 60-60°; spring, 62·36°; summer, 69.56°; autumn, 67.30°; mean barometric height, 29.86°; rainfall, 29-23 inches. For persons suffering from incipient tubercular consumption, Madeira stands unique as a winter resort. There is no occasion,' says Dr. Heineken, 'for a person throughout the winter in Funchal to breathe night or day within doors an atmosphere below 64°, or in the country, and at such a height as to ensure dryness, above 74°; that he may during the summer take abundant exercise without exposing himself to oppressive heat (by choosing his hours), and that in the winter he need not be confined to the house the whole day, either by wet or cold, more perhaps than a score of times.' On the north side of the island, in the parish of St. Ann, a summer residence may be advantageously taken by those who have to pass several winters in Madeira, the north-east trade-wind blowing during the day and a cool mountain breeze during the night; moreover, it possesses shaded roads and walks for exercise. This district abounds in plantations, gardens, and vineyards; some of the finest scenery of the island being found between Funchal and St. Ann. Invalids should arrive here in the commencement of October, and remain till beginning of June. Steam-vessels make the passage in six, sailing-vessels in ten to fifteen days. The latter deserve the preference in many instances, as the valetudinarian enters the warmer climate more gradually, besides having the benefit of a longer exposure to the open sea air. Young persons subject to frequent inflammatory diseases of the chest, having overgrown their strength by too rapid development of the frame, and having an hereditary or acquired phthisical tendency, are most benefited by the journey; but where the disease has already made considerable progress, if destruction of portions of the lungs has already taken place, with great emaciation, debility, or fever, the visit to Madeira or any other

distant health-resort is decidedly irrational; for it must be remembered that the climate does not actually heal the morbid organs-the effects are only negative. The lungs do not get so frequently irritated here by vicissitudes of temperature as they would at home; the patients, therefore, can more freely enjoy the advantages of open-air exercise. This is most important in the commencement of the disease, when the system is still in full vigour; but for patients of advanced phthisis, the comforts of home, and the soothing care of relatives and friends, are of more advantage. It is actually found that such sufferers only hasten the dreaded end by the very sojourn in this beautiful southern island. Progressive destruction proceeds more rapidly here than in their own more fitful but conservative climate. Dr. Lund, who still practises in Madeira, has observed cases of tuberculous patients who lived 10, 15, and 20 years on the island, one even 25, all whose brothers and sisters had died of consumption in their native country. Dr. Renton's tables show that-1. Out of 47 cases of developed phthisis, 32 died within the first 6 months; 6 died after leaving the island; 3 died probably (altogether 41 deaths). 2. Of 35 with incipient phthisis, 26 were considerably and permanently improved; 5 improved (the future progress not ascertained); 4 died subsequently. 3. Of 108 cases of tuberculous diathesis, 93 remained perfectly free from any symptom of the disease; 15 were subsequently attacked by it. In White's table of 100 cases, 48 had not yet passed over the first stage-in 37 of these the disease was arrested; of 24 cases in the second stage, the malady was prevented from further development in 5; of 28 cases in the third stage, also in 5— one of these latter survived 11 years in the island, two 8 years, and two left the island after 3 years. Accommodation and provisions are excellent in Funchal, as well in hotels as in private boarding-houses; besides, the ordinary comforts of a large and civilized town are available to the visitors.

MALAGA, a seaport town in the south of SPAIN, on a bay of the Mediterranean, 65 miles east-north-east of Gibraltar. Lat. N. 36° 34'; long. W. 4°. Population, 113,000. It is built near the base of a mountain range, in the form of an amphitheatre, and is commanded by an old Moorish castle perched on a rock, and called the Gibralfaro. In 1803-4 the population was decimated by yellow fever. The climate is warm and equable, with very small variations in the single days, and from one day to the other. Winter scarcely exists, but an uninterrupted spring, in which the tropic vegetation continues. Towards north and west, mountain ranges of a height of nearly 3,000 feet are spread one or two leagues from the town, and behind these the still higher Sierra rises. The cold winds are thus kept off from the inner mountains; a branch of vine-covered hills passes towards the shore, and affords some protection against easterly winds. The western mountains, though affording a good shelter against violent atmospheric currents, are still far enough not to prevent the genial entrance of the sun; but the river Gualdalhorce passes through a depression of the mountains in the north-west, and admits certain noxious winds into the town. Malaga is divided into an old and new town; the former rests on an acclivity extending towards the old Moorish castle, and consists of narrow

dirty streets with lofty houses. The new town is built on sandy level ground, formerly occupied by the sea, and now gradually receding from it. The principal promenade, the Alameda, intersects the town, ornamented with statues and fountains. The fertile Vega joins the town in the southeast, gradually rising towards the mountains; an uninterrupted garden of orange groves, of palm, almond, fig, and olive trees, meets the eye. Mean annual temperature, 66°: winter, 56°; spring, 62.35°; summer, 76.82°; autumn, 69°; snow and ice are very rare. Annual rainfall, 16 inches; rainy days about 40, mostly occurring in May, and the rest during autumn and winter. Southerly winds enter freely from the sea; the south-west, coming from the direction of Gibraltar, is cold, moist, and the forerunner of storms in winter, whilst it is a light sea-breeze only in summer. The sirocco (due south wind) loses most of its African violence by passing across the Mediterranean; the south-east and east winds are mostly charged with moisture, refreshing in summer, and chilling in winter; west wind coming from inland is dry and warm in summer, and cold in winter; sea winds prevail in spring and summer, land winds in winter; most of the latter are kept off by the mountains, except the north-west (terral), which enters through the depression by which the river passes, and is hot and dry in summer, and cold and dry in winter. It is maintained of this wind that under its depressing influence criminal offences increase considerably. The inhabitants are remarkably healthy; nevertheless, phthisis and chronic diseases of the chest constitute about the ninth part of the mortality in the town and hospital. April and May are the healthiest months; in December and January most illness prevails. The climate of Malaga, though warm, is not relaxing, on account of the small quantity of humidity; it is mildly stimulating and strengthening, and at the same time soothing from its great steadiness and equability. The mean annual temperature is 2° higher than that of Madeira; 9° higher than that of Nice; 12° higher than Venice; 20° higher than Pau; but it is 2° lower than Malta, and 4° lower than Cairo. This is partly due to an intense summer heat, but principally to an increased warmth of winter. Barometric pressure is equally steady, sometimes remaining unchanged for twenty days together. The climate resembles that of Cannes, and stands intermediate between the soft relaxing Madeira and the more dry and stimulating Nice, being more inclined to the latter without its noxious properties; it is therefore more adapted to those cases of incipient consumption in which the disease pursues a slow course with abundant expectoration. On the other hand, it is unsuitable where there is any tendency to hæmoptysis or to inflammatory processes of the lungs or pleura.

MENTONE, a small town on the Mediterranean, in a valley of La Riviera, 12 miles east-north-east of Nice (3 hours' diligence ride). Lat. N. 433°; long. E. 61°. Population, 4,900. It is the largest town of the principality of Monaco, lately ceded to France; situated on a slope of an Alpine range extending to the sea, and dividing the bay into two parts of unequal size. The neighbourhood abounds in the most variegated vegetation; sheltering groves of lemon trees in its sunny slopes and ravines.

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The towering mountains in the background offer effectual protection against cold winds; pines and olive trees cover the lower hills, whilst orange groves spread their delicious odour along the high road. The north, north-east, and north-west winds (mistral) are kept off by the Alps; the south-west (libeccio) occasions no inconvenience; but the south and south-east (sirocco) enter freely. The north wind, which bounds from the mountaintops into the sea at a considerable distance from the shore, scarcely touches the town. Rainfall, 23 inches during the winter. The climate is extremely mild, equable, and greatly superior to that of Nice, as is proved by the numerous lemon trees in constant bloom in open fields, whilst very few of them are found at Nice in very sheltered positions; moreover, the air is moister here, and free from the troublesome and noxious dust of Nice; it is the most favourable Italian winter resort for consumptive invalids. The change of sea and land winds is certainly felt here, but not in such a marked degree as at Nice. The visitors are also particularly recommended to bear in mind that the warmth is due to the direct solar influence, so that transitions from sunshine to shade must be carefully avoided. The abundance and beauty of shaded walks in the mountain valleys contribute greatly to render the residence cheerful and salubrious.

NICE, a seaport town of FRANCE (formerly of Italy), on the Mediterranean, 98 miles south-west of Turin, connected by railway with Toulon (six hours' journey), and with Marseilles (eight hours' journey). Population, 50,000. Lat. N. 43° 43'; long. E. about 7°. It is divided by the Paglione into two equal halves, the old city lying on the left shore, the newer city on the right. Situated in a plain, it leans towards the east on a steep rock rising from the sea, and stretches with its suburbs in a fertile and well-cultivated valley towards north and west. A range of green hills rises over this valley, surrounded by a circle of higher mountains. At a greater distance, snow-clad Alps enclose the whole landscape from the north and north-east, sheltering the town against cold winds, and favouring the luxurious southern vegetation. Hence the climate is milder than many localities situated farther to the south. Olives, figs, oranges, and palms thrive here. The schlossberg prevents eastern droughts. The temperature from October to April is extremely pleasant and mild. November and the first half of December are generally warm, dry, and clear; but in the second half of December rain falls, and the air often becomes bleaker. January, February, and March are mostly fine: towards the middle of March adverse winds ordinarily prevail till the end of the month, from nine in the morning till five in the afternoon; during these hours the patients must keep their rooms, but may take their walks before or afterwards. Considerable and rapid vicissitudes of temperature often occur in the same day; a great difference is therefore frequently felt by stepping suddenly from the sun into the shade. After sunset the atmosphere becomes frequently charged with moisture, and covers the housetops with dew. Rain falls rarely, and little at a time, but occasionally showers appear. Annual rainfall, 26 inches (Rome, 29; Venice, 25; Algiers, 36). Snow is rare. The mean annual temperature is 58.9°: winter, 463°; spring, 55.9°; summer,

71.1°; autumn, 6140. During the night, cold and dry land winds prevail; during day, mild and more humid sea breezes. Nice enjoyed formerly a great reputation for its extreme mildness, in consequence of the apparent thorough protection afforded by the mountain circle. Experience has, however, taught that various winds overcome the obstacle, perhaps through some breaches, and sweep along with vehemence. The north-west wind (a mistral) occasionally penetrates, and lasts sometimes several days. The easterly wind generally commences in March, and exercises a very unpleasant effect on invalids. The southern winds are mostly mild and humid, with the exception of the south-west (libeccio), which often appears with great severity. The south-south-east wind has likewise an injurious effect, especially on nervous and delicate females. The sirocco is considerably modified. The climate of Nice is consequently injurious to irritable constitutions, but more suitable for lymphatic scrofulous patients with profuse bronchial expectoration. In many cases of bronchial catarrh with atony, the warm sea-baths prove very efficacious, especially in early life.

MERAN, in SOUTH TYROL, on the southern declivity of the Tyrolese Alps, 881' over the level of the Adriatic, lies in a most fertile and charming valley between the river Etsch (coming from the western Vinschgau) and the river Passer (rushing down from the north-eastern Passeier Valley). It is completely protected against northern storms by an almost perpendicular mountain-wall, and against north-east, east, west, and north-west winds by mountain-chains of a height of 5,000' to 8,000'. Only open. to the south, it enjoys an equable, calm, and somewhat moist atmosphere, with very slight variations of temperature between day and night. Lat. N. 47°; long. E. about 100. It lies south of Insbruck, and 20 miles north-west of Botzen (station). October, November, March, April, and May are distinguished by mild temperature, a great number of clear serene days, and almost complete absence of snow. Mean annual temperature, 5440 (Munich, 45°; Berlin, 4740). Within twenty years (from 1825-44) the thermometer fell only five times below zero in the months of January and February. The summer temperature is lower than in all other towns of South Tyrol and Upper Italy. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for persons suffering from chronic pulmonary catarrh or from incipient. phthisis. But if inflammatory tendency or great irritability exist, Meran would be hurtful. Several commodious buildings have been erected here lately for the reception of visitors, and also in the picturesque Obermais, on the left shore of the Passer. The latter charming locality, having a higher situation, offers less protection against severe atmospheric currents coming from the Passeier Valley. But the village of Gratsch, half a league to the west of Meran (Pension Maurer), at the foot of the Küchelberg, is the warmest and most sheltered spot of the whole neighbourhood. The valley of the Etsch and Passeier belong to the most picturesque and beautiful parts of the Alpine regions.

Physicians-Drs. Tappeiner, Theiner, Pirger, Mazegger, and Kleinhaus.