30 ME. H. C. RUSSELL. 



It will be seen in the tabular statement that the shade temperature at 9 a.m. in 

 June was 7° higher, and in July 8°*5 higher than at Fiji, using for Fiji not the 

 temperature of the corresponding months in 1896, which were not available, but the 

 average of these months for the past nine years. 



Using the same data for the maximum and minimum temperature at Fiji, it 

 appears that at Funafuti the maximum temperature was, in June 7°"6, and in Julv 

 7°'6 hotter than Fiji, and the minimum in June 6°"9, and in July Q'^'O hotter than 

 Fiji. 



Hot as the climate undoubtedly is, the most oppressing part of it is the extreme 

 humidity, which approached saturation on many days, and maintained throughout 

 June an average relative humidity of 79 per cent., and in July 78 per cent. ; and 

 this with the shade temperature many days over 90°, and averaging for June 8 8*^ "8, 

 and for July 8 7° -4. 



These conditions are enervating to the European accustomed to more bracing 

 climes, and are only endurable under the shelter of a large building, with the 

 accessories of life for such a climate. If a physical exertion must be made, it is 

 only possible by an exercise of will, which amounts to an effort, and one soon feels 

 that a minimum of clothing, such as the natives wear, is the only rational dress. 



