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pean is enervating and depressing. This is particularly 

 the ease during the hot days that occur in the months 

 of December, January, and February. A heavy, 

 languid, oppressive feeling is experienced, acconi- 

 anied by an unwillingness for the least exertion, 

 either mental or physical. The relaxing effect of the 

 climate renders a change to a cooler region at times 

 desirable, if not necessary. The dull indolent habits 

 of the natives, too, have a depressing effect on those 

 who are much in contact with them, and it needs the 

 quickening influence of mingling with a superior race 

 to sharpen the thoughts, as well as the cool air of a 

 temperate climate to brace and invigorate the body. 



In Fiji, as in most tropical countries, there is a dry 

 and a wet season ; the former is cool, and lasts from 

 May to October, the latter is hot, and lasts from Octo- 

 ber to May. In the dry season, the south-east trade 

 winds prevail, and every person is benefited by the 

 cool invigorating breeze. During the wet season there 

 are frequent calms, and the winds are variable, though 

 generally from a northerly direction. The weather is 

 hot, and the least exertion brings the perspiration in 

 streams out of the body. While the cool weather lasts, 

 Europeans can wear, with comfort, clothing adapted 

 to an English summer ; indeed, at this season the 

 weather is delightful, — finer than the best summer 

 weather in England. In the hot season the least 

 amount of clothing is burdensome and oppressive. 

 Thunderstorms accompanied by vivid and rapid 

 flashes of lightning are common all over the colony 

 during the hot season. In the cool season these 

 storms are of rare occurrence, and the wind blows 

 steadily, and frequently in strong breezes during 

 September. Prom the beginning of December to 



