CLIMATE 3 



open buds." Tims there are^no seasons in Ceylon, in the sense 

 the word is used in temperate countries. The uniform moist 

 climate of the south-western districts is only varied by a period of 

 comparatively short rainfall between January and March, known as 

 the "dry season." No "cold season" occurs here as in India, 

 though during the dry season named, as well as the hotter months 

 (March to May), most people prefer to enjoy the more bracing air 

 of the hills, which is then dry and crisp. So that the only 

 variety in the climate is afforded by the two annually recurring 

 monsoons, viz., the south-west monsoon, commencing at the end of 

 May and lasting till October, and the north-cast monsoon, lasting 

 from October to May. The rainfall of the former is more or less 

 confined to the south-west of the Island, while the eastern side of 

 the country receives its most copious rain from the north-east 

 monsoon, chiefly in November and December, its driest seasons 

 being from June to September. In the northern part of Ceylon, the 

 rainy season is mostly confined to the three months of October to 

 December, very little rain falling from April to September. The 

 hottest period of the year, all over Ceylon, is from March to Mav. 



LOCAL INFLUENCES ON CLIMATE 



Forests. These constitute one of the most important con- 

 ditions affecting climate. The presence of forests prevents erosion 

 of the soil, retards the evaporation of moisture, enables the soil to 

 retain a large proportion of rain water, and tempers the atmosphere 

 both by cool vapours from the soil and by preventing the sun's 

 rays from reaching the earth. It is also claimed that forests 

 cause precipitation of the clouds, resulting in more frequent 

 showers and heavier rainfall than would otherwise be the case; 

 but this is a disputed point. When the forest is cleared away, 

 radiation from the land is increased, the soil is less retentive of 

 moisture, and the air, as well as the soil, becomes drier and warmer. 

 A similar effect takes place when swampy and marshy land is 

 drained and brought into cultivation. The climate of islands and 

 maritime districts is usually much more equable than that in the 

 interior of continents, the atmosphere in the former being 

 frequently loaded with clouds and vapours. Lakes, marshes and 

 rivers have usually an unfavourable effect on climate, as they give 

 rise to fogs, especially at night, which chill the ground and render 

 the vicinity unhealthv. 



