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COMMENCEMENT OF THE RAINS 77 



each seated before his residence, they chirp the live- 

 long night, relieving each other, so I fancy, at short 

 intervals. At first I found their chirping a little disturb- 

 ing, but I soon became accustomed to the sound ; 

 before long I even came rather to like it. The 

 jheengoo is an interesting little creature. Later on 

 I shall describe him, and also some other members of 

 his species. 



The weather just now at this commencement of the 

 rainy season is very agreeable, not exactly in itself, but 

 in its contrast to the weather that preceded it. I can 

 remain longer out in the morning ; I can leave the 

 house earlier in the afternoon ; but, most agreeable of 

 all, it is now no more necessary to keep the doors 

 closed and the rooms darkened. All day, as I sit and 

 read, I can look out on the garden, on the trees and 

 shrubs, and on the blue sky beyond. The clear, 

 bright blue of the sky is inexpressibly lovely; even 

 still more beautiful are its evening tints ; and occa- 

 sionally, though not often, we have sunsets of surpassing 

 glory. Then, too, at night the stars shine with a 

 brilliancy unknown in our northern climate ; and 

 words fail to describe the charm of the moonlight. 

 Calm and bright, it bathes the trees, the garden, all 

 nature, in one soft mysterious glow. 



The season, however, has its drawbacks, and one 

 of the greatest is the insects, in especial those that fly 

 by night. Of these pests the pre-eminence in point 

 of offensiveness must without question be given to 

 the one termed by the English " the flying bug." 

 These horrible little creatures possess a most sickening 



