THE WEST INDIES. i43 



prevails for several days and nights, especially about the time of full and 

 change of the moon ; and thus they continue throughout June and part of 

 July ; from that time the sea-breeze diminishes, varies, and veers round 

 to S. by W., or S.S.W., with frequent calms. August, September, and 

 October, are the Hurricane months, in which there are generally strong 

 gales of wind, with much rain. 



In December, January, and February, when the North winds pre- 

 dominate, their force checks the sea-breeze. The Southern coast is that 

 which, of course, is least exposed to these winds, being sheltered, in a 

 great measure, by the mountains. When combined with the land-breeze, 

 they render the air very cold and unhealthy. 



During the months of July and August, the sea-breeze about the island 

 generally blows impetuously, and in frequent squalls. At this season, 

 vessels bound hence to Europe would have the most advantageous passage 

 through the Strait and Stream of Florida ; but in October Northerly winds 

 frequently extend over all the Bahamas, Cuba, and for some time on the 

 North side of Jamaica; but the current of air is forced upward by the 

 mountains of the latter, and its strength is spent in the heights. In seasons 

 when it is more impetuous, it rushes through the windings and defiles of 

 the mountains upon the Northern Coast, particularly in the neighbourhood 

 of Kingston, and has sometimes been known to continue for several days 

 in succession. 



During the winter the land-breeze is more general off the shores than in 

 summer ; it sometimes continues throughout the day as well as night ; and 

 Westerly winds prevail over all the space between Jamaica and Cuba, and 

 even to the Island of Hayti or St. Domingo. They have been experienced 

 from Port Eoyal, through the Windward Channel ; but this is not generally 

 the case. 



In November, Southerly winds prevail on the South side of the island, 

 and have been known to extend to the Mosquito Shore, whence vessels have 

 arrived in five or six days, that might, at other times, have been as many 

 weeks, when beating against the sea-breeze. The Southerly winds are 

 generally faint ; nor do they come upon the land until it be heated by the 

 sun, and are often expelled by a fresh land-breeze soon after mid-day, 

 which abates in a few hours. 



The return of the sea-breeze, falling sooner or later in autumn, is gradual, 

 first approaching at the East end, then advancing a little; and in some 

 years it reaches Morant Point fourteen or twenty days before it is felt 

 above Kingston. It also blows for a week or two later on the East end of 

 the island than at Kingston ; and has been known, in some years, to pre- 

 vail there in the day time during the whole time it was unfelt at the 

 former place. 



(66.) At the Cayman Islands, summer winds range from E.N.E. to S.S.E. 

 Eainy weather sets in about the middle of May and continues tiU August. 

 Heavy squalls are prevalent from East and E.N.E., in June, coming on 

 suddenly at or before midnight. From November to April, the direction 

 of the wind is from N.E. to North, seldom varying for more than 48 hours. 

 There is at that time very Uttle smooth water, and landing is difficult. 

 When the land winds are strong on the coast of Cuba, the swell rolls 



