18 



proaclies the meridian it falls very considerably, and 

 rises again in the afternoon. At noon, when this 

 wind is scarcely perceptible, a fresh breeze is felt 

 from the sea, which continues about two or three 

 hours. The husbandmen give it the name of the 

 twelve o'clock breeze, or the countryman's watch, 

 as it serves to regulate them in determining that 

 hour. This sea breeze returns regularly at mid- 

 night, and is supposed to be produced. by the tide. 

 It is stronger in autumn and sometimes accompanied 

 wdth hail. The east winds rarely prevail in Chili, 

 their course being obstructed by the Andes. Hur- 

 ricanes, so common in the Antilles, are imknown 

 there ; there exists, indeed, a solitary example of a 

 hurricane, which, in 1633, did much injury to the 

 fortress of Caremalpo, in the sQi.ithern part of 

 Chili. 



The mild temperature which Chili almost always 

 enjoys, must depend entirely upon the succession 

 of these winds, as a situation so near the tropic 

 would naturally expose it to a more violent de- 

 gree of heat. In addition to these, the tide, the 

 abundant dews, and certain winds from the Andes, 

 v/hich are distinct from the east wind, cool the air 

 so much in summer that, in the shade, no one is 

 ever incommoded with perspiration. The dress of 

 the inhabitants of the sea coast is the same in win- 

 ter as in summer ; and in the interior, where the 

 heat is more perceptible than elsewhere, Reaumur's 

 thermom.eter scarcely ever exceeds 25 degrees. The 

 nights, throughout the country, are generally of a 



