its Character and Product io7is. 201 



summer seasons the prevailing winds are generally dry and 

 from the eastward. In the winter months they come 

 chiefly from the opposite quarter, accompanied by clouds and 

 showers. The few heavy gales are from the south. But the 

 wind most dreaded is that from the north, which comes 

 loaded with heat and moisture, and exercises a relaxing 

 and baneful influence upon the human frame. The average 

 duration of these winds is two or three days, and they 

 usually occur three or four times in the month. 



The temperature of the island may be considered 

 both moderate and equable. The highest reading of the 

 thermometer during the year 1847 was 87° Farenheit, 

 the lowest 49° ; the mean annual temperature deduced 

 from four daily observations, including the lowest at night 

 and the highest by day, was 685°; the mean difference 

 between the extremes of day and night 17°. In the year 

 1850, the highest reading of the thermometer in the shade 

 out of doors was 85°, the lowest 51°, showing an annual 

 range of 34°. The mean monthly temperatures during the 

 same year were as follow : — 



January 74 



February 741- 



March 73 



April „. 70 



May Qbl 



June 63 



July 62 



September 64|- 



October 65 



November 70|- 



December 72^^ 



