1841.] Repart on the Island of Chedooba. 373 



effects of climate when under the exposure, than when mind and body- 

 have alike been unoccupied and unenlivened. 



Exposure to the direct heat of the sun of Chedooba, and its neigh* 

 bourhood, is at all times of the year to be carefully avoided, and such 

 imprudence will be the almost certain occasion of illness to an European, 

 to whom the simple remedy of a chattah is always at hand 5 some pe- 

 culiarity in the atmosphere appearing to make its rays more than com- 

 monly obnoxious at all times to his constitution ; but this is more parti- 

 cularly the ease in the months of March, April, and May, when the natives 

 themselves are much concerned to avoid the intenseness of its heat. The 

 mornings and evenings however, even at this time afford 4 or 5 hours, 

 when all out door duties may be performed. 



The above months constitute the hottest season of the year. The Ther- 

 mometer in the day ranging at times to above 90°, but falling, from towards 

 evening till before sunrise, down to a temperature, which is pleasantly 

 cool throughout the night, a benefit enjoyed all the year round. On the 

 main land, the nights at this season are frequently accompanied by a 

 dense mist almost amounting to a rain, arising in all probability from the 

 condensation of moisture, attracted from the large extent of water surface 

 exposed by the numerous creeks. 



Chedooba, with nights equally cool, and more healthy, is free from this 

 peculiarity. But with the mainland, is, during the day, at this season, 

 subject to a dry haze, at times to thick as so hide the view of the land ; at 

 a very few miles distant. 



The heat at this time is greatly attempered by the fresh sea breeze con- 

 stantly blowing, which gradually veering from south-west to north-wes^ 

 with only a decrease of strength during the night, takes the place, at this 

 latter point, and time, of the direct land breeze, which blows during the 

 night in the cool season. 



This cool season, the most enjoyable, and the healthiest time of the 

 year, extends from the setting in of the north-east monsoon, towards the 

 end of October, to the middle of March, during which time the climate is 

 very delightful, the temperature seldom rising, excepting as the season 

 closes to that of the summer heat of our own country. But the sun at 

 midday is still very powerful, and direct exposure to it, to be avoided. 

 This was the season during which I traversed the Island, and though coi - 

 stantly in the thickest jungles, sometimes by night as well as by day, 1 do 

 not remember to have suffered a headache. 



The sea breeze at this time sets in at 10 a.m , and falls with the sun, 

 shortly after which a cool land breeze from the eastward takes its place, till 

 No. 113. New Sekies, No. 26. 3 A 



