n 



the atmosphere only is needful to produce rafn, but 

 likewise eilher a change of winds or a radge of hills, to 

 drive the particles of the vapours together. And hence 

 it i<; that vihile the wind blows from north-east in Corcv 

 inandei, and on the north-side of the mountains in 

 Jamaica, there are continual rains, and constant fair 

 vveatmr on the south-side of the mountains, and in 

 Malabar. Whereas, while it blows from the south-west, 

 there are constant rains on the south-side of the Jamaica, 

 juiountains and in Malabar ; but constant fair weather on 

 the north-side of these mountains and in Coromande.1. 



This also may account for the singularity of seasons 

 In Perti, which runs southward from the line above a 

 thousand leagues. It is divided into three parts, loag 

 and narrow: the Lanos, or plains, which run along the 

 sea-coa.sts ; the Sierras, which are hills with vallies in- 

 termixed ; and the Aiides, which are steep and craggy 

 xnun1i)iri$. The Lauos are, some ten leagues in 

 tveadtb, some less, and some more. The Sierra h 

 twenty leagues in breadth, and the Andes the same. 

 It is remarkable, 1. That in the Lanos the south and 

 the south-west winds continually blow. 2. That they 

 never have any thunder, hail, snowier rain, only some* 

 times a small dew. 3. On the Andes it rains almost 

 continually. 4. In the Sierra, which lies between, it 

 rains from September to April, and is clear from April 

 to September. The reason is plain ; the constant wind, 

 blowing over the Lanos, finds nothing to stop it, and 

 drive its vapours into rain. But the Andes continually 

 intercept these vapours, and so occasion continual rain. 

 The Sierras being lower, intercept the vapours only 

 from September to April, because then the sun being 

 neartr the atmosphere is lighter, and consequently the 

 vapours sink lower. 



In regard to this, there are two or three ads of 

 Divine Providence which are highly observable. One 

 is, that all countries throughout the world should enjoy 

 the great benefit of mountains placed here and there, 

 at due and proper distances. According to the natural 

 course of things, when tfce earth and waters were sepa 



