CHAPTER IX. 



TEEIfATE, TIDOEE, AND GILOLO. 



As we steamed out of tlie bay of Kayeli a heavy 

 rain came on, for tlie rainy season, wliicli had been 

 prevailing on the south side of Burn, was now be- 

 ginning on the north side. 



The same alternation of seasons is seen in Ceram. 

 When I was on the south side of that island, there 

 was one continuous rain ; but when I came soon after 

 to Wahai on the north coast, the grass was dry, and 

 in many places completely parched. The cause of 

 this interchange of seasons is, that the clouds which 

 come up from the southeast are heavily charged with 

 moisture, and when they strike against the high 

 mountain-chain which extends from the eastern to the 

 western end of that island, the larger part of their 

 moisture is condensed and falls in heavy torrents, 

 so that when they pass over the water-shed they 

 pour out few or no showers.* When the wind 

 changes and comes ft'om the northeast, the north 

 sides of Ceram and Buru are deluged, while it is dry 

 weather on their southern coasts. 



* A similar cause produces the rainless district of Peru, but there the 

 prevailing wind throughout the year, at least in the upper strata of the 

 atmosphere, is from the southeast. 



