METEOEOLOGICAL OBSEEVATIONS. 145 



regard for truth, were we, while descanting upon their merits, 

 to pass over without remark, the disadvantages of the 

 Bermudian climate. 



During the hot months of summer the ground absorbs 

 heat so largely, as to cause, by radiation, throughout the 

 night, a temperature within three or four degrees of that of 

 noonday. 



It is not alone to the low level of the islands, to the high 

 temperature by day and night, or to the frequent absence 

 of wind, that the climate at this season of the year is so 

 depressing, but to the dripping nature of the south-west 

 wind, which then prevails and saturates the atmosphere 

 with moisture to such an extent, as to cause it to resemble 

 a vapour bath. Persons who have resided many years in 

 the West Indies, under the refreshing influence of the dry 

 East or Trade wind of those latitudes, acknowledge that 

 the summer climate of the Bermudas is far warmer to the 

 feelings, and far more enervating in its character, than any 

 thing they have experienced to the Southward. 



ISTow, in order to show the real features of the climate of 

 the Islands, and trusting, at the same time, thereby to 

 render this little volume as complete as possible, we are 

 induced to insert the following observations made at the 

 Eoyal Observatory, at St. George's, under the charge and 

 superintendence of the Eoyal Engineers. 



We consider it will be quite sufficient for the purpose we 

 have in view, if we merely insert the observations made 

 during the months of January and February, and July and 

 August of last year, 1857, as the two former may be truly 

 considered to represent winter, and the two latter summer 

 temperature. 



