xxxvi INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



Hence it appears, that St. Helena, during tliese last three 

 years, had its full share of rain, and in much greater quantity 

 than usually falls in London : which, by an average of eleven 

 years, is no more than 21.25 inches : whereas the average of four 

 years, at St. Helena, was 33.38 inches. 



Cloudy days exceed in number, about two to one, those on 

 which the rays of the sun fall upon the earth without interrup- 

 tion ; and the number of days on which rain falls, during the 

 year, is about 135. The wettest months are said to be January, 

 February, and March, and June and July. This observation may 

 be correct, although it does not accord with the preceding 

 Abstract. The favourable or unfavourable seasons depend on the 

 number of days of heavy rains, and fine showers. Some idea may 

 be formed of the variations in different years by the following 

 comparison : 



In 1806 heavy rains and fine showers, 92 days 



1807 - - _ _ 79 



1808 - - - _ 58 



1809 - - - 71 



1810 - _ _ - - 78 



1811 - - _ 60 



From thunder and lightning this climate may be said to be 

 wholly exempted. In the course of 60 years, only two flashes of 

 lightning are recollected ; and these, I believe, were unaccom- 

 panied with thunder: neither is it subject to those storms and 

 hurricanes, which occasionally afflict and desolate many other 

 tropical islands. The trade winds generally blow with uniform 

 steadiness ; very seldom increasing beyond what is called a fresh 

 breeze. 



There are many copious springs of pure and wholesome water. 

 These generally issue from the highest lands. The quantity 



