378 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



might prevail. Damp and chilly days, however, are rare even in Winter, 

 and the few localities (which are not properly drained) where malaria 

 might prevail can be readily avoided. 



WINDS. 



The prevailing winds of this region are generally called " trade winds." 

 This name may answer for want of a better one, but, as a matter of fact, 

 the upper and prevailing currents of air have more the nature of monsoons 

 than of trade winds. During the Winter months the prevailing winds are 

 from the south and southwest; during the Summer months, from the north 

 and northwest. As a general thing, local winds assert themselves all over 

 this part of the State, and, in fact, throughout the Pacific Coast. Thus 

 along the coast the land and sea breezes are nearly always to be found. 

 They are very noticeable at Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and San Pedro, 

 perhaps less so at San Diego. During very hot days in the interior, a stiff 

 sea breeze all along the coast blows inland to replace the rising current of 

 hot air. As a result, there is not only cool weather along the coast, but 

 the temperature of the inland belt is considerably modified. This is 

 shown in comparing the temperature of the region west of the great divide 

 with that east of it. In the former the temperature rarely reaches 90° 

 Fahrenheit, while in the latter it frequently ranges from 115° to 125° for 

 days at a time. 



Another health-giving, but extremely disagreeable wind, is the "Santa 

 Ana," or "norther." This is a hot and very dry wind, usually confined to 

 limited localities a few miles inland, but occasionally sweeping over a 

 broad belt of country. During the progress of this wind the air is highly 

 electrified. Horses' tails stand out like thick bushes, the hair of. the head 

 crackles sharply when rubbed with the hand, and metallic bodies resting 

 on an insulating material, such as dry wood, discharge themselves with 

 visible sparks when a conductor is brought near. In one instance, it is 

 said, the telegraph line between Los Angeles and Tucson, some four hun- 

 dred and fifty miles in length, was detached from the battery and operated 

 by the earth currents alone. After the clearing away of one of these wind 

 storms, the atmosphere becomes wonderfully clear, pure, and invigorating. 



In general, the direction of the local winds of the interior is governed, to 

 a great extent, by the direction of the mountain ranges and the various 

 passes. Thus the " Santa Ana " Avihd receives its name, because it fre- 

 quently issues from the Santa Ana Pass. 



TEMPERATURE. 



The mild and genial temperature to which Southern California owes its 

 celebrity is due to two causes — low latitude and ocean winds. Lying in the 

 latitude of South Carolina and Georgia, warmth would necessarily result 

 from the nearly vertical rays of the sun. But while the latter States are 

 swept chiefly by land-winds, the former is perpetually swathed in winds 

 that have been warmed by tropical waters. The climate has, therefore, the 

 features of an ocean climate; that of the coast region is typically oceanic, 

 and this is the secret of its uniformity. It is hardly necessary to state that 

 the temperature is most uniform along the coast, and that the daily range 

 increases as one travels from the coast towards the interior. 



As an instance of the mildness of the coast climate the average of the 

 twelve hottest and twelve coldest days at Santa Barbara are respectively 

 81° and 62°. The highest reading for this year, which is taken at random, 



