APPROACH OF THE RAINY SEASO1C. 145 



from May to October, and comprehending consequently the 

 periods of the greatest heats, which occur in July and 

 August.* 



Nothing can equal the clearness of the atmosphere from 

 the month of December to that of February. The sky is 

 then constantly without clouds; and if one should appear, 

 it is a phenomenon that engages the whole attention ot the 

 inhabitants. A breeze from the east, and from east-north- 

 east, blows with violence. As it brings with it air always of 

 the same temperature, the vapours cannot become visible by 

 cooling. 



About the end of February and the beginning of Marcii, 

 the blue of the sky is less intense, the hygrometer indicates 

 by degrees greater humidity, the stars are sometimes veiled 

 by a slight stratum of vapour, and their light is no longer 

 steady and planetary ; they are seen twinkling from time to 

 time when at 20 above the horizon. The breeze at this 

 period becomes less strong, less regular, and is often inter- 

 rupted by dead calms. The clouds accumulate towards 

 south-south-east, appearing like distant mountains, with 

 outlines strongly marked. From time to time they detach 

 themselves from the horizon, and traverse the vault of the 

 sky with a rapidity which little corresponds with the feeble 

 wind prevailing in the lower strata of the air. At the end 

 of March, the southern region of the atmosphere is illumined 

 by small electric explosions. They are like phosphorescent 

 gleams, circumscribed by vapour. The breeze then shifts 

 from time to time, and for several hours together, to the 

 west and south-west. This is a certain sign of the approach 

 of the rainy season, which begins at the Orinoco about the 

 end of April. The blue sky disappears, and a grey tint 

 spreads uniformly over it. At the same time the heat of the 

 atmosphere progressively increases; and soon the heavens 

 are no longer obscured by clouds, but by condensed vapours. 

 The plaintive cry of the howling apes begins to be heard 

 before sunrise. The atmospheric electricity, which, during 



* The maximum of the heat is not felt on the coast, at Cumana, at La 

 Guayra, and in the neighbouring island of Margareta, before the month of 

 September; and the rains, if the name can be given to a few d'ops 

 that fall at intervals, are observed only in the months of October and 

 November. 



VOL. II. L 



