COAST CLIMATE OF BRAZIL. 347 



from the shore, and the heavy boats, carrying some 

 passengers for Europe, moved slowly as they pitched 

 to and fro in the swell of the sea. Just as they 

 came alongside, rain suddenly burst in a torrent from 

 the clouds, which had formed in the course of a few 

 minutes. For the first time in my journey, I regretted 

 the omission to have supplied myself with a water- 

 proof cloak. A thorough wetting in tropical countries 

 usually entails an attack of fever, and for that I was 

 not prepared ; so, along with two or three other 

 passengers who wished to go ashore, I remained in 

 the main deck. The rain ceased, and there was an 

 interval of sunshine ; but the torrential showers were 

 renewed two or three times before we resumed our 

 voyage in the afternoon. 



I have already noticed the contrast that exists 

 between the winter and summer climate of this part 

 of Brazil and that of Rio and the southern provinces. 

 In the latter the rainy season is in summer, while 

 nearer the equator, although no season can be called 

 dry, the chief rainfall occurs in winter — that is to say, 

 in the season when the sun is farthest from the zenith. 

 While passing through the equatorial zone, when 

 intervals of bright weather alternated with extremely 

 heavy rain, I frequently consulted the barometer, but 

 was unable to trace the slightest connection between 

 atmospheric pressure and rainfall, the slight oscilla- 

 tions observed being due to the diurnal variation 

 everywhere sensible in the tropics. 



The temperature on this part of the coast was only 

 moderately warm, varying from "jG"^ to y'6° Fahr. on 

 this and the following day, when we called at Maceio, 



