Climate of West Indies. 3 165 
blue. A bright, cool starlight night usually follows. East and north winds set 
ın toward the end of October. The first brings heavy rains, and the latter 
gentle showers, though on the south side of the island great draughts occur. 
e. The Bahamas. 
The climate of the Bahamas is agreeable and healthful, but subject to greater 
extremes of heat and cold than the other islands of the West Indian group. 
The temperature varies from 60° to 75°F. (15.6°—23.8°C.) during the winter 
months from November to May, while the remainder of the year constitutes 
the warm season with a temperature between 75° and 85° F. (23.8°—29.4° C.). 
The lack of elevation allows the full effects of the sea-breezes to be felt, and 
these breezes temper to some extent the heat of midday. 
f. The Bermudas. 
_ The islands are on the eastern edge of the Gulf Stream, by which very 
haturally the climate is influenced. The surface temperature of the water aver- 
ages 70°F. (21.1°C.). For ten years the mean temperature of the air reg- 
istered 71°, (21.7°C.)., the dew-point being 64°F. (17.8°C). The highest 
temperature observed in the shade was go°F. (32.2° C.). and the lowest 48°F. 
(8.9° C.), but in the sun a greater temperature has been reached than go®F. 
132.2°C.). August is the hottest month, averaging 87° F. (30.5° C.); February 
the coldest month, 55°F. (12.7°C.). The daily range is six to eight degrees 
and the annual about thirty-two degrees. In making a comparison with the 
United States, it may be said that the isotherm of 72° F. (22.2° C.) runs across 
the middle of Florida and through the Bermuda group of islands. The rain- 
Al is large. The average of ten years shows ı55 rainy days in 356, and 56 
inches, The distribution through the year is very uniform. 
In the following table the meteorologie observations at Hamilton for the year 1905 are given 
(furnished by the Canadian Meteorological Service 1903). 
Temperature (F°). | Precipitation (Ins.). 
Month. Depärture| Mean | Mean Departure 
Mean. from | maxi- | mini- || Total. from 
normal. | mum. | mum. | normal. 
| f I. 
N 64.2 +22 | 8 | 59 431... 957 
en 64:0 +2.5 70 | 58 1 | 0500 
a 65 a +3.6 | 70 62 4.06 As 1.07 
a RR 2 N N 4.20 | +0.02 
Dr SE en | 63 3.98 — 0.68 
1 30 | —20 78 | 68 3.83 212 
N 73.7 -+0,3 8.17.93 173 1 —2.71 
August. . 81.2 6 88 .| 74 32.35 | —2.23 
September ..... er 
Oütibers ;:;3 5: a6 ag 177 | 68 983°| +3-12 
November... ... N 73 63 5.03 | +0.65 
December ER URS TBN 64-4 | —03 | 69 | 60 10.58 + 6.09 
