METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 145 
regard for truth, were we, while descanting upon their merits, 
to pass over without remark, the disadvantages of the 
- Bermudian climate. 
During the hot months of summer the ground absorbs 
heat so largely, as to cause, by radiation, throughout the 
night, a temperature within three or four degrees of that of 
noonday. 
It is not alone to the low level of the islands, to the high 
temperature by day and night, or to the frequent absence 
of wind, that the climate at this season of the year 1s so 
depressing, but to the dripping nature of the south-west 
wind, which then prevails and saturates the atmosphere 
with moisture to such an extent, as to cause it to resemble 
a vapour bath. Persons who have resided many years in 
the West Indies, under the refreshing influence of the dry 
East or Trade wind of those latitudes, acknowledge that 
the summer climate of the Bermudas is far warmer to the 
feelings, and far more enervating in its character, than any 
thing they have experienced to the Southward. 
Now, in order to show the real features of the climate of 
the Islands, and trusting, at the same time, thereby to 
render this little volume as complete as possible, we are 
induced to insert the following observations made at the 
Royal Observatory, at St. George’s, under the charge and 
superintendence of the Royal Engineers. 
We consider it will be quite sufficient for the purpose we 
have in view, if we merely insert the observations made 
during the months of January and February, and July and 
August of last year, 1857, as the two former may be truly 
considered to represent winter, and the two latter summer 
temperature. 
L 
