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Notes on Zanguebar. [No. 1L, new series. 



IX. — Notes on Zanguebar. By M. Edouard Loaree. 

 The Island of Zanguebar, situated about 20 miles to the East- 

 ward of the Coast of Africa between the 5th and 7th degrees of 

 South latitude, like all intertropical countries in the Indian Ocean, 

 is visited by the monsoons. The commencement of the north 

 monsoon is uncertain, but it may be said to begin between the 1st 

 of November and the 1st of January, and to blow during a variable 

 period, but never for more than seven or less than five months. 

 The south monsoon begins between the 1st of April and the 15th 

 of May; it sets in always more decidedly and without previous 

 warning, and blows generally for a longer period and with greater 

 force than the north monsoon. I must add that it is very difficult, 

 not to say impossible, notwithstanding the theories which have been 

 advanced, to establish fixed rates for the monsoons, it frequently 

 happens that southerly breezes prevail on that part of the Coast of 

 Africa, during nearly the whole of the northern monsoon. It may 

 however be remarked in general that in that latitude and more to 

 the southward the southern winds prevail during seven or eight 

 months every year, and the more the navigator proceeds to the 

 South the more he will encounter southerly winds, so that near 

 the tropic of Capricorn, the north winds do not last more than 

 three and a half or four months, viz. from December to March. 

 During the interval of transition from one monsoon to another 

 calms and light variable breezes prevail, and near the land, the 

 breeze during that period, will regularly be found to make one 

 complete round of the compass. This interval of light and variable 

 winds lasts in some years as long as two months. Between each 

 change of the monsoon this is a precious period for the Arab Dows, 

 which eagerly profit by the opportunity to make a number of trips 

 up and down the Coast. 



During the eight or ten months of strong breezes a very rapid 

 current sets in a few days after the change and runs with the wind. 

 December, January, February and March are the months when 

 strong northerly winds and currents are experienced. May, June, 

 July, August and September are the months more subject to heavy 

 southerly gales and currents. During these months a ship bound 

 to any port of the Coast of Africa should be very careful to make 



