582 The Andes and the Amazons. 



the two frontier montlas of either season being one or the 

 other irregularly. 



In the rainy season the quantity of rain-fall, though as 

 yet not accurately gauged, amounts to about seventy inch- 

 es, the greatest fall being about March probably.* During 

 this time of the year, the easterly winds, generally to the 

 northward, which are those which blow over all the Ama- 

 zons valley as far as the Andes, are lighter and more ir- 

 regular. The atmosphere is heavily charged with constant 

 moisture, giving to one's body a feeling of warm humidity 

 which is sufficiently disagreeable. Shoes become covered 

 with mold within forty-eight hours ; watches and other in- 

 struments become seriously corroded ; and medicines, par- 

 ticularly powders and salts, are with great difficulty kept 

 fit for use. The temperature is not so oppressive, from its 

 elevation, as in the dry season, though the bodily discom- 

 fort, from the feeling of dampness, is probably greater, 

 and the tropical languor is more irresistible ; from which, 

 however, one is aroused by the disgusting necessity of an 

 almost incessant war against the inevitable mosquito, whose 

 paradise is all over this section of earth. 



The rivers, which begin to rise about October, continue 

 to increase their flood— with the exception of a short stand- 

 etill, or slight fall, about December — until May ; and dur- 

 ing the height of the season, from January to March, the 

 country for miles along the lowlands calls to mind the 

 primeval deluge which is just now being drained off the 

 earth's surface. Decaying vegetation, undermined banks, 

 tumble headlong and are swept on the flood ; and a dirtier 

 mixture of mud, leaves, trees, broken or entire, can not be 

 found on the planet than the " king of rivers " presents at 

 this time. Still, there are noble uses in the vilest pictures 



* My record of the rain-gauge for an entire year showed the rain-fall to be 

 110 inches, the heaviest fall being in Februaiy. 



