36 WINDS AND WEATHER ON 



to calms, to constant deluges of rain, and the most 

 dangerous lightning ; added to which, almost all 

 parts of the coast are, at this time, so unhealthy as 

 to be abandoned by the inhabitants. At the east- 

 ern end of this range of coast, about Panama, the 

 winter sets in earlier than at San Bias, which lies at 

 the western end. Rains and sickness are looked for 

 early in March at Panama ; but, at San Bias, rain' 

 seldom falls before the 15th of June ; sometimes, 

 however, it begins on the 1st of June, as we expe- 

 rienced. Of the intermediate coast I have no exact 

 information, except that December, January, and 

 February, are fine months everywhere ; and that, 

 with respect to the range between Acapulco to Pa- 

 nama, the months of March, April, and half of May, 

 are also fine — at all other times the coast navigation 

 may be generally described as dangerous, and on 

 every account to be avoided. 



From December to May inclusive, the prevalent 

 winds between Panama and Cape Blanco de Nicoya 

 are N. W, and Northerly. From thence to Rio Lejo 

 and Sonsonate N. E. and Easterly. At this season 

 off the Gulfs of Papagayo and Tecoantepec there 

 blow hard gales, the first being generally N. E., and 

 the latter North. These^ if not too strong, as they 



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