CLIMATE. 



295 



which last frequently for the whole moon, with scarcely a ces- 

 sation, and the wind, at times, is so furious, that the houses are 

 not secure, and the largest trees are torn up by the roots. The 

 weather, when it is fine, cannot be depended upon for any 

 length of time ; not even in summer ; for in the month of 

 January I have frequently experienced gales, and rain, as 

 severe and copious as in the winter. During the summer months 

 southerly winds are more prevalent, and, while they last, the 

 weather is fine, and clear, and the air particularly dry. 



" Although the winter months, and a considerable part of 

 the other seasons, are very disagreeable, owing to the severity 

 of the winds, and exceeding quantity of rain, it cannot be denied 

 that the climate is healthy. In Childe no epidemic diseases are 

 experienced. The small-pox and measles are not known ;* nor 

 have tertian fevers, so common in the north, ever been expe- 

 rienced on the island. Spotted fever (tabardillo), and acute 

 pains in the stomach, are the only disorders to which the inha- 

 bitants of this archipelago are subject. Thunder and light- 

 ning are rarely experienced ; but earthquakes have occurred at 

 intervals. In the year 1633 the church and houses were de- 

 stroyed, and in the year 1737 much damage to the village of 

 Isla grande was caused by earthquakes." 



So far Agiieros. On the whole, the climate is not so unfa- 

 vourable as we had been led to expect from all that we had 

 heard. 



Captain Fitz Roy arrived there in July, during the latter 

 part of which, and the month of August, the weather was very 

 wet, with some heavy gales from the N.W. ; but in his Meteo- 

 rological Journal for those months there is no record of the 

 thermometer falling below 38°, and it is recorded to have fallen 

 to that degree only on one occasion, the general height being 

 from 45° to 50°. The first part and the middle of September 

 were boisterous and wet ; but towards the end of the month the 

 wind was chiefly from the southward, and the weather dry and 



* The small-pox was introduced into the island, in the year 177^? by a 

 ship from Lima ; but it was confined to San Carlos, and was soon eradi- 

 cated. The measles also were introduced by similar means, in the year 

 1769 ; but did not re-appear after once ceasing-. 



