170 
effects of difference of altitude in the same latitude, from the 
sea-shore, to the verge of perpetual snow. aui 
The chain, or as it has been aptly called, the Great Wall 
of the Andes, exerts a powerful influence on the climate of 
the tract of country under consideration; the great atmos- / 
pheric current, which, according to the season of the year, 
flows to the north or south, and, in other parts of the same 
continent, is affected by many local causes that give rise to- 
variable winds, is here maintained in its original direction by 
the influence of this elevated barrier. During a great part 
of the year, a southerly wind prevails to the west of the 
Andes, and in summer it frequently blows with great 
violence on. the coast of Chili; but it always brings a clear 
sky; it gradually moderates towards the north, and is only 
a light breeze when it reaches the coast of Peru. At the 
season when the sun approaches the Northern Tropic, the 
force of the south wind abates, and gales are experienced 
from the opposite point of the compass, accompanied by rain. 
The average duration. of the rainy season is about five 
months, from the middle of May to the middle of October. - 
-In the south of Chili.the rains are very heavy, and fall at 
short intervals throughout the winter, which is there some- 
times of six or seven months’ duration.. In the latitude of 
Valparaiso, it.seldom rains. more: than two or three days 1n 
succession, after which, there. may be. fine weather for? 
week or two; often for a much longer period. At Coquimbo, 
three degrees farther north, the rain falls at still longer 
intervals; at Copiapo,. the most. northern part of Cbili, the x 
showers are few.and light, and on.the coast of Peru, rains 
almost unknown; only.a dense mist is experienced there 
during the, winter months, but .as the people know no other 
` xain, this period is called there, as in Chili, the Ramy 
Season, (tiempo de los aguacerros,). and the ladies of Lima 
frequently complain, after a short. walk, of the heavy shower 
they.have been exposed to, in what: we should consider, 12 
this weeping climate of ours, tolerably fine weather. Even. 
this mist. diminishes. as we. proceed. towards the Equator, 
so that, although the sun is seldom visible in Lima fr 
