THE KASKAZI. 



161 



into five seasons. A far simpler division here 

 applicable, as in Western India, is made by those 

 local trades the monsoons, between whose two 

 unequal lengths are long intervals of calms and 

 of variable winds. These are the Mausim or 

 N.E. monsoon, and the Hippalus or S.W. 



1. The Kaskazi or Kazkazi (vulgarly Kiz- 

 kazi), to which the Arabs limit the term El 

 Mausim (Monsoon), is the season during which the 

 Azyab (c^jjl) or N.E. trade blows. The wind 

 begins about mid-November; from mid-Decem- 

 ber to mid-Eebruary its strength is greatest, and 

 it usually ends about mid-March. In 1857, 

 however, the Kaskazi opened with light showers, 

 and continued in full force till March 24; usually 

 the last vessels from Cutch and Bombay enter 

 port about March 10. This is the first of the 

 two hot seasons, and midsummer may be placed 

 in Eebruary and March. A fine, cool sea-breeze 

 from the N.E. usually prevails between 8 a.m. 

 and late in the afternoon. When it is absent the 

 weather is sultry and oppressive, the northerner 

 feels suffocated; the least exertion brings on 

 profuse perspiration, and the cuticular irritation 

 produces boils and c prickly heat.' The nights 

 are close and stifling enough to banish rest and 

 sleep. As has been shown, the thermometer 



VOL. I. 11 



