108 



In all these sayings, as must necessarily occur, there is a portion of 

 truth ; that is to say, they are right sometimes. Believers seldom 

 count how often, as that which one wishes to believe, is generally more 

 easily accepted than a contrary idea. 



An ancient rhyme shows that such ideas, sayings, or theories, had 

 their opponents, as well as their believers, years ago, as well as in the 

 present day and we quote it for those interested : — 



" The moon and the weather 



May change together 

 But change of the moon 



Does not change the weather. 

 If we'd no moon at all 



And that may seem strange 

 We still should have weather 



That's subject to change." 



It is our part to record weather as it comes, and it is our experi- 

 ence that the perusal of tables of authentic records upsets many theories 

 as to weather, often show them to be unreliable, and that in general 

 the weather is as variable a quantity in Trinidad as in other countries 

 and cannot be foretold with any certainty. 



Countries possessing telegraphic communication with distant 

 central meteorological stations, can by electric communication, ascer- 

 tain what kind of weather is prevailing at a distance, and by a study 

 of the air currents, they can issue forecasts which are mainly cor- 

 rect, and are of great value, but it is only in the hurricane season, 

 that even this is followed in our tight little island. All other prognos- 

 tications rest not upon information, but upon something infinitely less 

 reliable, and to call it guess work would not be far from the truth. 

 Sometimes the guess comes true, when it does, the guesser is to be 

 congratulated. Our own guesses, we are not ashamed to say are often 

 far from correct, but we sometimes guess right, and then we think as 

 much of it, as our friends do. 



631.-RAPHIS FLABELLIFORMIS, Ait. 



This little palm thrives especially well in the Trinidad Gardens, 

 and being stoloniferous, soon appears as thick clumps wherever planted. 

 It is especially useful for forming hedges or sereins, which are very 

 effective, require little care, and never become overgrown beyond a 

 hedge six or eight feet high. It may be transplanted readily from 

 the large clumps at most seasons of the year. 



In pots and tubs, it supplies decorative material of no mean order. 



632.-NEPHEL.IUM LITCHI, Ait. 



Trees of this fine oriental fruit have been growing for many years 

 in the Botanic Gardens. 



There is no record of planting, but the trees are estimated to be 

 at least 30 years of age, or perhaps as much as 10 years older. 



