PACIFIC POETS. 
107 
month of November it blows without interruption, and at that 
time it reaches its maximum. Towards the middle of December 
it ceases during intervals of from ten to twelve days, and then 
begins anew to blow one or two weeks. These alternations or 
interruptions and renewals are reproduced at short and unequal 
periods. But the length of the period of discontinuance goes on 
gradually increasing till the wind only blows one day, and 
finally ceases completely. 
The Indians of Santa Maria del Mar are familiar with the 
indications announcing the coming of the north-northeast winds. 
In the evening at about sun-down, if the summits of the mount- 
ains of Guichicovi and San Miguel Chimalapa (seen from the 
coast), are concealed from the view by quantities of slate-colored 
vapor, it is indicative that the northers will blow the day follow- 
ing, and will last as many days as the summits of those Cordil- 
leras continue to be covered with similar clouds. Vapor of a 
corresponding hue, seen at the same hour, at the horizon of the 
Pacific Ocean, announces that the south-southwest wind will 
blow on the day following. 
The south-southwest wind, which in winter succeeds the north 
wind, during one or two days at most, is the only general wind 
prevailing during the months of June, July, and August. 
After some gales of more or less intensity, which may be com- 
pared to the violence of the north wind, and not exceeding one 
hour and a half or two hours' duration, the southerly wind is 
definitively fixed. Towards evening its intensity decreases till 
the next morning, when the same phenomenon is renewed. 
Still, this wind is subject to more interruption than the north 
wind, and the intervals of repose last longer. The south-south- 
west wind, passing over the ocean, reaches the coast of the Isth- 
mus laden with vapors, which at certain hours of the day resolve 
themselves into abundant showers. 
In winter and in summer, during the prevalence of the 
southerly and northerly winds, the current of the sea is from 
east to west ; its greatest velocity is about one mile and a half 
per hour. This continual movement in the waters of the Pacific 
is only discernible at a distance of about 6000 feet from the 
shores of La Yentosa. 
