THE HAEMATTAN. 167 



unpleasant months in Bathurst. In July, the sea-breeze has stopped blow- 

 ing, the sun is very hot, and stifling, airless days may be expected pre- 

 paratory to the commencement of the rains, which are generally ushered 

 in by the storms known as Dry Tornados, followed by these storms accom- 

 panied by heavy rain. 



The middle of June is about the time when rain may be first expected, 

 but the wet season does not become thoroughly established until a month 

 later, the latter part of July and the whole of August and September being 

 conspicuous for more or less continuous rain. The rainfall varies from 40' 

 to 80 inches. * 



As a rule, I think it may be considered that a heavy rainy season means 

 a healthy season, more especially if Tornados are frequent with their usual 

 accompaniment of thunder and lightning. No one who has resided in 

 Western Africa can fail to appreciate the pleasant sensations experienced 

 after one of these beneficent storms has passed over ; a weight seems 

 lifted from one's being, the air becomes unusually clear and pure, and the 

 temperature is considerably lowered. The wind seldom blows with suffi- 

 cient force to do any material damage during the progress of a Tornado,, 

 and the most violent storms usually expend their force in the course of an 

 hour or two. 



The Island of St. Mary has the advantage (in one sense) of possessing 

 a light, sandy soil, and consequently the heaviest rain soon percolates 

 through and does not stagnate on its flat surface. 



Taken as a whole, the climate of the Gambia is decidedly superior to 

 that of any other British Settlement in West Africa, though at certain 

 seasons intermittent and remittent fevers are very prevalent, few Europeans 

 escaping an attack of one or other of these forms between the months of 

 July and October. Natives form no exception to this rule, though with 

 them the disease is rarely fatal. The point which has always struck me 

 about the Gambia is the dryness of the climate as compared with Sierra 

 Leone and the Gold Coast. From December to June there are periods of 

 phenomenal dryness, more especially during the occurrence of the Har- 

 mattan, but the sea-breeze, which blows from the North and N.W., and is 

 the prevailing wind during these months, is not charged with moisture to 

 the same extent as similar winds in Sierra Leone and on the Gold Coast. 

 The height of the thermometer in the Gambia, or, indeed. West Africa 

 generally, must not be taken as a guide to one's sensations of heat ; for 

 although the thermometer rarely exceeds 90° indoors, yet there are times 

 at Bathurst when, to judge by one's feelings, 10° might well be added to 

 the 90°. This is especially the case during the month of October, which 

 is exceedingly trying to Europeans. The rains have ceased, and the pro- 

 cess of drying up is going on, or, in other words. Nature's distillery for 

 malaria is in active operation. There is rarely a breeze of any kind, or if 

 at all a land wind charged with poison from miles of foetid swamp. Such 

 as it is, however, it is welcomed, for during the oppressively still days and 

 nights there seems to be an absence of air for breathing purposes. This, 

 however, is the dark side of the picture, and, fortunately, the state of 

 things described is only of short duration. Taking all things into con- 

 sideration, climatically speaking, the conditions of life are more bearable 



