The Isle of Pines 



107 



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A Spanish Laurel, no Feet in Width, Isle of Pines 



From J. O. I v a Gorce 



THE CLIMATE EXCELLENT 

 The climate is described as "delicious, 

 the air pure and balmy, and, notwith- 

 standing the island being surrounded by 

 water, is considered dry. The winds 

 coming from the sea and passing over 

 the pine forests are gentle and invigorat- 

 ing." The year is divided into two sea- 

 sons. During the wet season, or summer, 

 the rains begin early in June and last 

 until ( )ctober, seldom more than two 

 hours in the afternoon, and are accom- 

 panied by thunder and lightning. The 

 greatest rainfall is in May. June, and 

 July, although there is no month entirely 

 free from rain. During this wet season 

 about two-thirds of the precipitation of 

 the year is received. The day is usually 

 clear until 10 a. m., after which it is 



showery until night. The nights are 

 clear. The hottest hours are from 10 

 to 12 a. m. About 2.30 p. m. the 

 breeze blowing in from the sea moder- 

 ates the temperature. At night the copi- 

 ous dews contribute to the luxuriance of 

 vegetation. 



The dry season, or winter, extends 

 from October to June, with occasional 

 visitations from November to February 

 of cold winds blowing from the north 

 lasting about 48 hours, when the tempera- 

 ture falls to fifty, but is not as uncomfort- 

 able as the March winds in the States. 

 This season is not entirely without pre- 

 cipitation, the days of rain numbering 

 about one-third of the wet season. The 

 annual rainfall ranges from 50 to 52 

 inches, or less than on the Gulf coast of 



