CLIMATE* 



165 



Bryan Edwards, writing over fifty years ago, says, " In a 

 maritime situation, where I chiefly resided during the 

 space of fourteen years, the general medium of heat dur- 

 ing the hottest months, from July to November (both in- 

 clusive), was eighty degrees on Fahrenheit's thermometer. 

 In the other months, viz., from December to May, the 

 thermometer ranges from 7 0° to 80°. The night air in the 

 months of December and January is sometimes surpris- 

 ingly cool. I have known the thermometer so low at sun- 

 rise as 69° even in the town of Kingston ; but in the hot- 

 test months, the difference between the temperature of 

 noonday and midnight is not more than 5 or 6°." 



There is a very marked difference in temperature, be- 

 tween the north and south side of the island, and still 

 more in the beauty and luxuriance of the vegetation. 



The soil is less exposed to the protracted droughts which 

 sometimes occur during the winter months on the southern 

 coast. This greater abundance of rain is attended with 

 its disadvantages. The temperature is more variable and the 

 air less genial, and not so well adapted for invalids as that 

 which prevails on the opposite side. The seasons are very dif- 

 ferent also, on the two sides. On the north, winter ranges from 

 October to March, and a plentiful supply of rain is distri- 

 buted, in small and occasional showers, throughout the 

 year. On the south side, spring may be said to range 

 from November to April, summer from May to August, 

 and winter from September to October. 



