55 



stars. The thermometer kept from 18*5° to 

 20°*; which under this zone, and to the feel- 

 ings of a traveller who comes from the coasts, 

 appears a very great coolness. I never per- 

 ceived the temperature in the night at Cumana 

 below 21 °. The hygrometer of Deluc indicated, 

 at Cumanacoa, 85° ; and, what is remarkable 

 enough, when the vapours were dispersed, and 

 the stars shine in their full brilliancy, the in- 

 strument fell to 55°. This difference in dryness 

 of 30° would have made Saussure's hygrometer 

 vary only 11°. Toward morning the tempera- 

 ture augmented slowly, on account of the force 

 of the evaporation ; and at 1 0 o'clock it did not 

 yet rise above 21°. The greatest heats are felt 

 from noon to 3 o'clock ; the thermometer keep- 

 ing between 26° and 27°. The maximum of the 

 heat, which took place about two hours after 

 the passage of the sun over the meridian, was 

 very regularly marked by a storm, that mur- 

 mured near. Large black and low clouds dis- 

 solved in rain, which came down in torrents ; 

 and these showers lasted two or three hours, 

 and sunk the thermometer five or six degrees. 

 About five o'clock, the rain entirely ceased ; the 

 sun reappeared a little before it set ; and the 

 hygrometer moved toward the point of dryness : 

 but at eight or nine we were again enveloped 



* From 14*8° to 16° of Reaumur. 



