28 



THE ISTHMUS 



with vapours of a denfity and darknefs fcldom feen in the clouds of the at- 

 mofphcre ; and from thefe which are called the capillo or cap, the changes 

 of the weather are indicated ; for when thefe clouds thicken, increafe in their 

 . blacknefs, and fmk below their ufual ftation, it is a lure fign of a tempeft ; 

 while on the other hand their clearnefs and afcent as certainly indicate the ap- 

 j)roach of fair weather. It mufl however be obferved, that thefe changes are 

 very frequent, and the fummit is hardly ever free from clouds, and when this 

 does happen, it is only as it were for an inftant. The inclemency of the climate 

 Porto Velo is well known. The heat is exceffive, being greatly augmented 

 by thefituation of the town, which affords no interval for the current of the 

 winds, that would otherwife refrefh it. The trees on the mountains ftand fo 

 thick, that they intercept the rays of the fun, and confequendy prevent the 

 earth under their branches from being dried, hence copious exhalations, 

 which form large heavy clouds, and precipitate in violent torrents of rain ; 

 but thefe are no fooner over than the fun breaks out afrefh, and fhines with 

 his former fplendour ; though before the activity of his rays has dried the 

 furface of the ground not covered by the trees, the atmofphere is again croud- 

 ed with another colle£lion of thick vapours, the fun is again concealed, and 

 another torrent of rain fucceeds : in this manner it continues night and day 

 without any fenfible diminution of the heat. Thefe torrents of rain, which, 

 by their fuddennefs and impetuofity feem to threaten a fecond deluge, are 

 often accompanied with fuch tempefts of thunder and lightening, as mufl: 

 terrify the mofl: intrepid ; efpecially as this dreadful noife is prolonged by re- 

 percuffions from the caverns in the mountains, and augmented by the bowl- 

 ings and flirieks of the multitudes of monkeys of all kinds that inhabit the 

 adjacent forefl:s. This continual inclemency of the climate, added to the fa- 

 tigue and immoderate drinking of the feamen employed in unloading the 

 Ihips, who, to recruit their Ipirits, have recourfe to brandy, of which there 

 is, on thefe occalions, an incredible confumption, muft jointly injure the befl: 

 confliitutions, and produce thofe deleterious difeafes fo common in this coun- 

 try. But it is not the feamen alone who are fubjedl to thefe difeafes ; others 

 who are fl:rangers to the feas, and not concerned in the fatigues, are alfo at- 

 tacked and often carried off by them. The number of the inhabitants of Porto 



, " Velo 



