88 Voyage of the Noumea. 



S.W. to S.E. must be anytliiug but a safe anchorage during the 

 S.W. monsoon. During the prevalence of the N.E. monsoon 

 it seems tolerably well suited for an anchorage, if the eastern 

 promontory be kept S.E. by S., and the anchor be cast in 

 soundings of from 10 to 13 fathoms. Landing, however, is 

 at all times a matter of difficulty, as the surf is very boister- 

 ous and the swell of the sea pretty heavy. Its most remote 

 point is the mouth of the river Galatea, which, however, is 

 closed by a sand-bar, and for that reason cannot be easily 

 reached. This bay, owing to its configuration, is excessively 

 hot and sweltering, and with reference to its salubrity can- 

 not be recommended as a suitable abode. 



The climate of the Archipelago, though tropical, is not 

 nevertheless to be ranked among the hottest, in consequence 

 of its insular position, and of the whole of the islands being 

 thickly clothed with forest. Hence the quantity of rain, 

 which, as has been seen, is sufficient to keep the rivers full 

 even in the dry season. According to the meteorological 

 observations made on these islands by various observers at 

 different periods of the year, the average temperature does 

 not exceed 77'^ Fahr., much about the temperatm^e of the 

 fluid found in the fresh unripe cocoa-nut. But during the 

 months of April and October respectively, at which period 

 calms prevail in these islands, the maximum temperature of 

 86-^ to SS*^ Fahr. is reached. 



Considering the violence with which rain falls, and that the 

 dry season of the N.E. monsoon from November to March, 



