CHAP. II.] CLIMATE OF JAFFNA AND TRIXCOMALIE. 



71 



In the extreme north of the island, the peninsula of 

 Jaffna, and the vast plains of Neuera-kalawa and the 

 Wanny, form a third climatic division, which, from the 

 geological structure and peculiar configuration of the dis- 

 trict, differs essentially from the rest of Ceylon. This 

 region, which is destitute of mountains, is undulating in 

 a very slight degree ; the dry and parching north-east 

 wind desiccates the soil in its passage, and the sandy 

 plains are covered with a low and scanty vegetation, 

 chiefly fed by the night dews and whatever moisture is 

 brought by the on-shore wind. The total rain of the 

 year does not exceed thirty inches ; and the inhabitants 

 live in frequent apprehension of droughts and famine. 

 These conditions attain their utmost manifestation at the 

 extreme north and in the Jaffna peninsula : there the 

 temperature is the highest 1 in the island, and, owing 

 to the humidity of the situation and the total absence of 

 hills, it is but little affected by the changes of the mon- 

 soons ; and the thermometer keeps a regulated pace with 

 the progress of the sun to and from the solstices. The 

 soil, except in particular spots, is porous and sandy, 

 formed from the detritus of the coral rocks which it 

 overlays. It is subject to droughts sometimes of a whole 



attendant of the port, and published | logical department of the Board of 

 under the authority of the nieteoro- | Trade : 



Trinromalie. 



Mean temperature for the year 8 1 -4. 



1 The mean lowest temperature at I but in 1845-6 the thermometer rose 

 Jaftna is 70, the mean highest IK) ; | to 90 and 100. 

 F 4 



