238 SEVENTH REPORT—1837, 
many hours in the hot months with a sunny sky, In the early 
part of March some unaccountably cold winds, affecting vege- 
tation even, have been known to blow. 
Hot Winds.—The well-known hot winds of tropical conti- 
nents do not prevail near the Ghats; but the same wind, which 
is pleasant in their neighbourhood, may become a hot wind as it 
travels to Ahmednuggur and Arungabad. The east wind is 
characterized by its extreme dryness, and it is dangerous 
to sleep exposed to it. 
Whirlwinds.—Those curious whirlwinds noticed by travellers 
in Africa, and which in the deserts are dangerous, are of com- 
mon occurrence in Dukhun in the hot months. A score or more 
columns of dust, in the form of a speaking trumpet or water- 
spout, may be seen rapidly coursing over the treeless plains, 
marking a vortex of heated air. They are sufficiently powerful 
to unroof a thatched house, strike tents, and whisk away all 
light matters. 
Hail Stones.—Hail stones of considerable magnitude some- 
times fall in the thunder-storms of the hot months. 
Dews.—Dews appear plentifully after the monsoon, and 
during the nights of the cold months; but their frequent local 
occurrence has often excited surprise. 
Fogs.—¥Fogs are of so rare occurrence in the Desh, or 
country eastward of the Ghats, that I have only nineteen 
records of them during five years. Along the Ghats they 
are much more common; and during April and May, for 
three or four nights in the week, fogs drift rapidly to the 
eastward from the Konkun, or low country at the foot of the 
Ghats. On some nights no drift takes place, and the fog 
remains resting on the Konkun; and, seen from the crest of 
the Ghats at sunrise, has the appearance of a sea of milk. 
As the sun rises the fog creeps up the chasms of the Ghats, 
and finally disappears by 10 a.m. 
Salubrity of the Climate.-—With respect to the salubrity of 
the open parts of the country, it will only be necessary to state 
that, in my little camp, consisting of more than a hundred souls 
(natives), I had not a single death of an adult during six years; 
nor a case of illness (excepting one) that I did not cure without 
regular medical aid. Dr. Walker, long civil surgeon in the 
city of Ahmednuggur, found the casualties in 1828 in that city 
(exclusive of losses from spasmodic cholera) to be only 1°82 
per cent., or 1 in 55°1 persons; and, including cholera, 2°48 
per cent., or 1 in 402 persons. Dr. Lawrence, in charge of a 
regiment of natives 1000 strong, lost only 0°85 parts of an 
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