RAINS. 149 



dry, pure, and agitated. The influence of winds, in connection 

 with the temperature, is very remarkable. The northerly wind, 

 even when light, being piercingly cold, and producing an unplea- 

 sant feeling of chill ; whereas the easterly breeze, however strong, 

 never produces that sensation : on the contrary, it is agreeably 

 cool and refreshing, and may be said to possess a bracing tendency. 



The southerly wind has a depressing effect ; still more so the 

 westerly, which has previously swept over the neighbouring plains 

 or llanos of Venezuela. 



Humidity. The influence of atmospheric moisture on vege- 

 table life is too well known to require any comment. Its influence 

 on our own organs is, perhaps, as powerful, though less apparent. 

 Temperature, atmospheric pressure, the prevailing winds, and the 

 condition of a country whether as cultivated, or as still covered 

 with forests all these greatly influence the actual quantity of 

 moisture contained in the atmosphere. 



I am not in possession of such hygrometric observations as 

 would enable me to give any decided information on the subject ; 

 but the quantity of rain which falls, throughout the year, may 

 serve as a test for appreciating the humidity of our climate. It 

 will be seen, from the table annexed to this chapter, that such 

 quantity may be estimated at 70 inches 30 hundredths per 

 annum. It is compiled from observations published by Captain 

 Tulloch, in his " Statistical Report," viz., for the years 1825, 

 1826, and 1827 ; from those by Dr. J. Davy, in his work on the 

 West Indies, viz., for the years 1847 to 1852 inclusive, and taken 

 at the St. James's Barracks ; as also, from observations made at the 

 Royal Gaol, Port of Spain, from 1850 to 1854 inclusive (vide 

 Table). 



An apparent difference will be found between the quantity of 

 rain which fell during the same month of 1850, 1851, and 1852, 

 at the St. James's Barracks, and of that at the Royal Gaol ; the 

 average, however, may be received as nearly the same it being 

 70*75 and 70*46 inches respectively. 



The months which exhibit a minimum of rain, are March, 

 February, and January ; and those wherein the maximum quantity 

 falls, are August, July, and June. The annual average quantity 

 is 70*30 inches. It would appear, from six years' observation by 

 Ramon de la Layra, that the mean annual quantity of rain which 

 falls at Havanna, is 109 inches ; it is 72 inches on the north coast 



