136 



BRITISH HONDURAS. 



yellow fever, confined principally to the white population. For 

 men who have already had experience in tropical countries, 

 there is nothing in the climate of British Honduras which they 

 have to fear. The fact already alluded to, namely, of the 

 existence of a settlement of white emigrants from the Southern 

 States who have established comfortable homes at almost sea- 

 level, and turned, by their own hands, a wild tropical forest into a 

 number of rich and prosperous plantations, sufficiently indicates 

 the general healthiness of the country. Writing of this settle- 

 ment in 1878, Lieutenant-Governor Barlee remarks, that although 

 some five or six families have lived here for a period of nine 

 years, not a single death has occurred among them, nor any illness 

 other than of a temporary nat re. 



From a very careful series of returns prepared by the medical 

 officer of health (Dr. Hunter), and his colleague (Dr. Muir), the 

 following table has been compiled. 



MEAN HEADINGS OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT BELIZE FOR 

 THE PAST FOUR YEARS. 



The annual mean temperature at sea-level is 79'5 Fah. ; in 

 the interior it is considerably lower. For instance, at Orange 

 Walk (Old River) in November last, at 6 a.m., the thermometer 

 often stood at 67 Fah. ; and sometimes, especially during the 

 prevalence of cold northerly winds, I have no doubt it would 

 fall much lower. 



