BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 13 
mollusks. The entomology is varied and interesting. Mosquitoes 
and such troublesome species are not common in winter except on 
the outer islands, where sand-flies are also numerous. Many species 
of lepidoptera and diptera abound throughout the group, especially 
during the summer season. 
Many of the islands are infested with centipedes. At Nassau 
they were numerous, and occasionally a tarantula was seen, but the 
latter is by no means common, although during the hot summer 
months they, as well as curious and gigantic land-crabs, are to be 
found in abundance. About May 1st the heat begins to grow 
oppressive, and later it becomes almost unbearable, the mercury 
rising to 165° and even.170° in the middle of the day, when 
exposed to the heat of the sun; but, as a general rule, the morn- 
ings and evenings are very pleasant. I include below the average 
temperature, taken during the month of June while cruising among 
the islands. On cloudy days the sun temperature was not taken, 
and in nearly all cases being taken on the deck of the vessel, in 
all probability it was slightly affected by the breeze. 
8 A. M. 12 Noon. 12 Noon. 6 Pi M. 
Shade. Shade. Sun. Shade. 
82 86} 1184 814 
Myriads of insects abound at this season, and render the 
southern islands almost uninhabitable. At Inagua we found them 
especially numerous and troublesome. The inhabitants stated that 
