MADEIRA. 579 



About the middle of October the periodical rains set in, and last about 

 a fortnight, frequently commencing with strong S.E. winds, which veer 

 to S.W. and round to N.W., when the weather clears and becomes fine. 

 After the rains follows the season known as St. Martin's summer, with 

 N.E. winds. Fine weather is generally experienced in November and 

 December, with prevailing N.E. winds, but occasionally there are gales 

 or thick weather. 



Gales or gusty weather are very rarely experienced from May to the 

 end of September. Gales are principally to be apprehended in November 

 and December, commencing a few points on either side of South, gradually 

 veering round to the westward, and terminating in the N.W. The 

 barometer is highest with N.E. and lowest with S.W. winds. 



In the winter months eddy- winds and squalls, proceeding from the high 

 land, are frequent and severe, and the ships are often forced to put to sea 

 from Funchal Road. Severe westerly and S.W. gales, with rain, then 

 frequently prevail, and prevent sailing vessels regaining it for some time. 

 At these periods, Madeira and the Desertas are often obscured in fog. 

 The squalls have been found so sudden and violent near the Desertas, 

 and about the S.E. end of Madeira, as nearly to overset the ships in the 

 vicinity ; and many have been driven by them far to the eastward. 



The wind called the Leste occurs in August and part of September, 

 and, as its name implies, comes from the East, although all East winds 

 are by no means Lestes. It appears to be of the same kind as the Har- 

 mattan of Western Africa, and is of a hot, close, drying nature, particu- 

 larly oppressive to some constitutions, which it affects by languor, head- 

 ache, and a parching of the skin and lips. What is remarkable, the resi- 

 dents are those whom it most disorders in this way. Visitors in general 

 suffer much less ; and the invalids are never so well as while it lasts. 

 A peculiar clearness and cloudlessness in the atmosphere are among the 

 invariable indications of the Leste, and the weather during its continuance 

 is most delightful ; the sky of a deep blue, so stainless that one might 

 fancy it had never been sullied by a cloud ; with a transparency in the 

 atmosphere, which, like the effect of moisture, seems to bring out fresh 

 hues from every object. » 



At times, but not frequently, the Leste is accompanied by a strong 

 wind from the E.S.E., with hazy weather, though still delightfully warm 

 and pleasant. The nights, too, are delicious — soft and balmy ; and with 

 the moon shining in summer brightness, and the orange trees in flower, 

 the air is loaded with perfume. With the departure of the Leste, rain 

 almost invariably follows. Dust from the African desert is frequently 

 deposited by this wind in considerable quantities. 



According to the careful observations of Dr. Taylor at Funchal, the 

 Leste is a very dry and parching wind, and sometimes very hot, blowing 

 from the E.N.E. or E.S.E., and doubtless originates on the heated deserts 

 of the Sahara. Its occurrence is quite uncertain, but it is most frequent 

 in July, August, and September. Its duration may be only one day, and 

 it may last up to six and seven days. The force of this wind is often 

 considerable, from 4 to 5, or even 6, Beaufort's Scale (page 104). As far 

 as Dr. Taylor's observations went, the barometer shows no certain or 



