1890.] Geography and Travel. 1061 
encounter a constant temperature of about 75-90° F. the whole year 
round. At 3,500 feet, for example, the altitude of the capital of 
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, is 70-80° F.; and at Santa Lucia, 4,500 feet, 
a temperature of 68—75? F. The yearly variation of the already-men- 
tioned places is between 10-ı5° F., whilst their daily difference is 
about 5° F. Towards evening northern breezes set in regularly, and 
render the nights pleasant and comfortable. 
The rainy season commences on the Pacific side towards the latter 
part of April. Heavy showers of rain, accompanied by the constant 
rolling of thunder and the blinding flash of lightning, occur towards 
evening, and usually last during the night. The following day is 
bright, with pure and balsamic atmosphere. Towards the end of the 
rainy reason the storms commence in the afternoon, and heavy showers 
may fall continuously during-two or three days. We would sup 
that the small area of Honduras, which covers only three degrees of 
latitude, would have a nearly uniform season over the entire territory, 
which is not at all the case. The rainy season gradually advances 
from the Pacific coast towards the interior, and from there to the north 
coast. It thus happens that the Atlantic and Pacific coasts are polar, 
or opposite, in regard to their seasons. In January the dry season is 
prevailing on the Pacific coast, whilst there is a wet season on the 
Atlantic shores. In the interior of Honduras rains are less powerful, 
but they usually continue longer. On the Atlantic slope the rains are 
heavier than on the Pacific, which is, most likely, caused by the more 
vigorous growth of vegetation on the latter coast. 
It is quite evident that a territory which originated chiefly through 
the aid of plutonic and volcanic agency is destined to be most diversi- 
fied in regard to the diffusion of its valleys and mountains, and more 
so if we remember that the huge edifice, the Central American con- 
tinent, is not the effect of oze upheaval of firm land, or one sudden 
rise of fused mineral masses, but that this process was a gradual and 
periodical one, consisting of sudden eruptions, followed by long pauses 
of rest. 
As these eruptions occurred at different times, it may follow that the 
` direction of the eruptive mountain ranges was likewise divergent, which 
is actually the fact. 
Over the whole territory of Honduras there are spread numerous 
of mountain ranges, which usually are called in that country 
* montanas,” and montanitas if of a smaller size. On the western 
boundary of Honduras these ranges run usually from north to south ; 
as, for example, the montanas de Monticillos and the montanas de 
