40 NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



induce endemic or epidemic disease. The difficulty 

 in connection with this subject is to explain certain 

 exceptions to the general rule. In several places in 

 the tropics, usually insular stations, where a steady 

 high temperature is combined with the presence of 

 much vapour, the climate is said to have no injurious 

 effects. But the most marked exception seems to be 

 that of seamen. Excluding that large majority whose 

 calling involves frequent changes of climate, there 

 must be now a considerable body of experience re- 

 specting those who for a series of years have 

 navigated tropical seas exposed to nearly uniform 

 temperature. I am not aware that there are any facts 

 to sustain the supposition, which might a priori seem 

 plausible, that such a life tends to enfeeble the Euro- 

 pean constitution. 



Between a broad fringe of mangrove swamp, 

 backed by a narrow border of forest on either bank, 

 with little to break the monotony of the way, we 

 reached Guayaquil before ten a.m. Seen from the 

 river, with many large buildings and stores covering 

 more than a mile of frontage on the western bank, 

 and a straggling suburb stretching to the base of a 

 low hill to the northward, the city presents an un- 

 expectedly imposing appearance. The present amount 

 of trade is inconsiderable, but if ever these regions 

 can attain to the elementary conditions of good 

 government the development of their natural resources 

 must entail a vast increase of business. The territory 

 of Ecuador includes every variety of climate, and is 

 in great part thoroughly suited to Europeans. All 

 tropical products are obtainable, and, with ^ good 



