CHAPTER II. 



Meteorological Conditions. 



The Challenger Reports, edited by Sir John Murray, have shown how important it is 

 to consider the meteorological conditions of any region whose geography it is desired to 

 study. In the " Introduction " to this work I have briefly indicated the great variability 

 found in the topography of the different atolls of the Maldives. As the latter group 

 together with the Laccadives extends from lat. 1° S. to lat. 14° N., it will be readily 

 understood that the meteorological conditions must vary very widely over this great region. 



In respect to coral reefs, winds and storms are usually supposed to be the chief factors 

 in the formation of land. Dana' has pointed out that their distribution follows the isocryme 

 of 68° F. both N. and S. of the equator. Semper- drew attention to the effects of currents 

 in shaping reefs, a point which has subsequently been further emphasized by several natu- 

 ralists. The eroding action of rain has been referred to by many authors, chief among 

 whom is Prof Agassiz, who has also laid great stress on the action of the sea and waves 

 on all coasts in general, but on coral-shores in particular*. The subject then being of wide 

 interest in respect to the formation of coral reefs and islands, I shall consider the meteoro- 

 logical conditions of the region without in this place examining minutely their effects. 

 The following account is derived largely from personal observations and native information, 

 with which I endeavoured to check the account in the " West Coast of Hindustan Pilot " 

 (1893) ; I have also consulted the captains of various steamers, which regularly ply in these 

 waters. 



The winds, experienced in the Laccadives and Maldives, are those of the two monsoons, 

 influenced to the north by the proximity of the Indian coast and affected in the south 

 by the equatorial winds. The north-east monsoon becomes set in the Laccadives about 

 the end of November and continues until the end of March; during this period a more or 

 less northerly wind prevails together with long calms, but little or no heavy weather. The 

 monsoon gradually travels down the Maldive group, becoming regular from N.N.E to E.N.E. 

 in Male atoll early in January. It is ushered in by a fortnight of strong winds from 

 north to east with heavy rain squalls. The monsoon becomes definitely set as far south 

 as Suvadiva atoll before the end of January. It is felt too even in Addu (lat. 0° 40' S.) 



1 Corah and Coral Islands, 3rcl ed. pp. 108 and 333. ' Vide " The Islandg and Coral Eeefa of Fiji " {Bull. Mus. 



- "Animal Life," Intermit. Sci. Series, chaps, tii. and Comp. Zool. vol. xxxiii. pp. 1 — 167, 1899) and numerous 

 VIII. previous publications. 



