88 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



SECTION XIV. 



Observatiotis upon the Rainy Seasons, from the year 1711 to 1811 — Notices 

 on the Fall of heavy Rains, Jine Showers, and drizzling Rain, from the 

 1st of January, 1806, to the 31«^ December, 1811 — erroneous Notions 

 upon the Effects of heavy Rains at St. Helena ; sometimes damage the 

 lo%o Grounds, but ahvays favourable to cidtivated and pasture Lands. 

 Abstract of the Fall of Rain from February 1811 to February 1812. 



It is generally believed by the oldest inhabitants of St. Helena, 

 that rain of late years, has fallen in less quantity than in former 

 times : and the cause is imputed to the diminution in the number 

 of trees. This is no doubt a plausible conjecture; since it is 

 admitted that trees have a power of attracting clouds, as well as 

 moisture from the atmosphere : but whether any change has 

 actually taken place is a point that cannot now be ascertained ; 

 because there is no record whatever of the fall of rain. 



There are, however, upon the consultations, and in letters from 

 the Governments of St. Helena to the Court of Directors, several 

 passages that tend to throw some light on the periods at which 

 the rainy seasons formerly set in, as well as some notices of 

 unusual falls of heavy rain ; both during the seasons of rain, as 

 well as in the dryest months of the year. 



The following are the passages and notices I have selected. 



1711. January 23d. — " This is deemed the proper season for 

 planting." 



1714. November 12th.—" On the 3d February, 1713, the 

 floods carried away part of the west curtain, and damaged other 

 places," 



