458 



MEXICO, CEXTEAL AMEEIOA, WEST INDIES. 



Climate. 



The climate of the Lesser differs little from that of the Great Antilles. The con- 

 trasts, in fact, are far more striking between the opposite slopes of the islands them- 

 selves than between the two extremities of the American Mediterranean. Those 

 members of the chain which are disposed in the direction of the meridian present 

 the most marked differences between the sides facing the Atlantic billows and 

 those washed by the still waters of the sheltered Caribbean Sea. In the French 

 colonies one slope takes the name of " Capesterre " (Cabesterre), the other that of 

 " Basseterre." 



The climatic differences have caused great contrasts in the density of the popu- 

 lation, in the local industries and the trading relations. Endless diversity is also 

 caused by the mountainous character of the volcanic islands according to their 

 altitude and aspect. Within a few hundred yards of the burning coastlauds the 

 inhabitants find a moderate temperature, the upland glens and breezy headlands 

 offering more salubrious atmos^Dheric conditions, so that every island is provided 

 w'ith its natural health resort. But in the various sections of the islands them- 

 selves the different temperatures present little variation throughout th/3 year, the 

 glass nowhere rising or falling more than about 36 degrees.* 



The -rainfall varies far more than the temperature, according to the different 

 aspects and disposition of the relief, in one place arresting, in another giving free 

 passage to, all moisture-bearing clouds. Thus the showers are more copious on the 

 Capesterre than on the Basseterre, and they also increase with the altitude. In 

 this respect a regular gradation may be observed, even in an island like Barbados 

 where the differences of relief are relatively slight.f Although not absolutely 

 unknown hail is even of far rarer occurrence than in Cuba ; in Guadeloupe the 

 phenomenon has only been once recorded, in the year 1805- 



Flora and Fauna. 



Forms from every division of the American mainland are intermingled in the 

 local flora, which is extremely diversified relatively to the small extent of the islands, 

 and which often presents considerable contrasts even in contiguous districts. Plants 

 from the Old World would also seem to have reached the West Indies even before 

 the arrival of the Europeans and their African slaves. Botanists, however, are far 

 from being of accord with regard to the origin of cultivated plants possessing para- 

 mount importance in the trade of the world. Certain varieties of sugar-cane are 

 known to have been imported ; but the species found by the first French settlers 



* Temperature of the Lesser Antilles :- 



Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre) . 

 Martinique (Fort -de -France) . 

 Barbados (Bridgetown) 



t Paiufall of Barbados : — 



From sea-level to 200 feet . 

 From 200 to 400 feet . 

 From 400 to 600 feet . 



