TROPICAL CLIMATE 11 



escaping from domestication and breeding for two or three 

 generations in the mountains, develop powers of flight equal 

 to those of the pheasant, and while retaining the color of the 

 domestic strain, gain somewhat in elegance and trimness of 

 form. On the Island of Lanai, turkeys may be found in all 

 stages of domestication and wildness, ranging from those 

 which may be approached and petted near a ranch house to 

 those which fly on the approach of man as vigorously as do 

 the wild turkeys of the Appalachian Mountains. 



In general, domestic animals in the Tropics reach a smaller 

 size and produce less milk than in northern climates. This 

 statement, of course, refers only to the improved breeds of 

 domestic animals developed in northern climates and shipped 

 into tropical countries. It is impossible, for example, to bring 

 Hereford or Shorthorn steers in tropical countries up to the 

 standard weight for northern climates. Similarly, with the 

 best strains of Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, or other dairy cows, 

 it is impossible to secure a heavy milk yield even with the best 

 and most expensive rations. It is a rather rare accomplish- 

 ment for Jersey or even Holstein cows in the Tropics to pro- 

 duce 5,000 pounds of milk in a year, and the average yield is 

 far below that, probably not more than 2,500 pounds. The 

 tendency to produce less milk and to reach maturity at a 

 smaller si2e than in the northern climate may be considered 

 as the result of an unexplained influence of the tropical climate. 



The weather problem, however, which is uppermost in the 

 mind of the tourist and intending settler in the Tropics, is 

 concerned with the eflFect of tropical climate upon man and 

 with especial precautions which he may need to take in order 

 to live comfortably and in health. In former days travelers 

 were wont to regale us with tales of the frightful ravages of 

 the tropical diseases. Many of these diseases were, and still 

 are, in some localities of serious consequence. So much atten- 

 iion was, and still is, paid to them that the reading public be- 

 :ame quite thoroughly familiar with the general aspects of the 



