352 TEMFESTS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. 
an open road. Both coasts, too, are rendered inaeces- 
sible for several months by severe tempests, which 
prevent all navigation. The north winds, los nor- 
fes, prevail in the Mexican Gulf from the autumnal 
to the vernal equinox. They are very violent in 
March, though usually more moderate in Septem- 
ber and October. The navigators who have long 
frequented the port of Vera Cruz are familiar with 
the symptoms of the coming storm, which is pre- 
ceded by a great change in the barometer, and a 
sudden interruption in the regular occurrence of its 
horary oscillations. At first a gentle land-wind blows 
from W.N.W.., and is succeeded by a breeze rising 
from the N.E. then from the S. A suffocating heat 
succeeds, and the water dissolved in the atmosphere 
is precipitated on the walls and pavements. The 
summits of Orizaba, of the Cofre de Perote, and 
the mountains of Villa Rica, are cloudless, while 
their bases are concealed by vapours. In this state 
of the air the tempest commences, usually with great 
impetuosity, and genera! lly continues three or four 
days. Occasionally, even in May, June, July, and 
August, violent hurricanes are experienced in the 
Gulf of Mexico. The navigation of the western 
coasts is very dangerous in July and August, when 
sudden gales burst from the S.W.; and even in the 
fine season, from October to May, furious. winds 
sometimes blow from the N.E. and N.N.E. In 
short, all the coasts of New Spain are at «lta pe- 
riods dangerous to navigators. 
It is probable that Mexico was formerly better in- 
habited than it is at present ; but its population was 
concentrated in a very small space in the neighbour- 
hood of the capital. At the present day it is more 
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