2 TIMEHRI. 
as in Guiana, the only great difference is between 
drought and deluge, and these are proverbially uncer- 
tain, we are apt to ignore the other changes. In England 
we look for the opening of leaves and flowers in May 
and know from them that spring has come and summer 
is at hand, but here in Demerara it is said to be always 
summer. This may be true as far as temperature is 
concerned, but not in any other respeét. Summer 
means a great deal more to residents in other climes. 
It is the time when flowers are in full bloom and fruits 
are maturing which comes after the awakening of spring 
and before the final ripening of autumn. 
Have we anything like these seasons in Demerara? 
Visitors will perhaps say no, but that on the contrary 
everything is mixed, The flowers and fruit, in their 
opinion, are borne at the same time and all the year 
round. There is some slight ground for this view but 
not so much as is generally supposed. It is possible to 
find trees with mature fruit and opening flowers at the 
same time but it can scarcely be affirmed that this is at 
all general. Fruits ripen and fall and then the flowers 
burst forth as a rule. But that there should be ripe 
fruit still remaining when the tree commences to flower 
simply shows that there has been no time for rest. It must 
be up and doing if it is to hold its own. No nice quiet 
winter sleep can be indulged in, but as one cycle of its 
life is over another begins at once. Every plant, from 
the humble weed to the forest giant, has its seasons. 
There is for example, the time when the rains begin to 
fall. Then the seeds of annuals awake from their dor- 
mant state, and the roots of perennials which have lain 
quiet in the dry ground for several months, shoot out 
