4 University of Michigan 



738 fathoms of water lie between Curasao and the mainland. 

 Such a depth of water would mean that a constant negative 

 movement of the strand line would connect the Lesser Antilles, 

 and even the Greater Antilles, to the South American main- 

 land, before the 40 mile strait between CuraQao and Venezuela 

 would be drained. On the other hand, the passage between 

 Aruba and the Paraguana Peninsula is less than 40 fathoms 

 deep in the shallowest place. The United States Hydro- 

 graphic Office chart, number 964, shows one sounding of 830 

 fathoms between Curasao and Aruba, but the depths between 

 Curasao and Bonaire, and between the last island and the 

 groups to the east, are not mapped. Nevertheless, it seems 

 probable that the isolation of Curagao, Klein-Curagao, Bonaire 

 and Klein-Bonaire is at least directly comparable to that of 

 the northern Lesser Antilles. As will be discussed later, this 

 geographic separation is intensified by the ecological differ- 

 ences between all of the Dutch Leeward Islands and most parts 

 of the South American mainland. 



Ir. G. J. H. Molengraaff, M.L, Chief of the Weather 

 Bureau of Curasao, very generously sent me the meteorological 

 data which are compiled into the following tables. As will be 

 seen from the first of these, the climate of the Dutch Leeward 

 Islands is influenced by an almost constant, east trade wind 

 of considerable strength. As will be discussed later, this pro- 

 duces a marked difference between the eastern and western 

 slopes on the islands. All of the records given are from points 

 on the western side of the islands, with the exception of those 

 from Rincon, Bonaire, which is also partially protected from 

 the east winds. 



The usual ocean currents follow quite closely the direction 

 of the trade winds, but are deflected somewhat to the north- 

 ward by the South American coast line and those of the 

 islands. For instance, the trip from Willemstad to Oranjestad 

 was accomplished in about 12 hours, although the schooner's 

 sails were flapping most of the time. On the other hand, the 

 return trip, which was said to be a fast one, required 34 hours. 

 However, this general trend is occasionally reversed. ' ' South 



