150 



Sketches of the Meteorology, 



than in the southern, on the same meridian. Thus, at Soondah, the 



climate is rainy and cool ; at Gokauk, on the other hand, which is in 



the same longitude, it is dry and hot. 



A considerable quantity of rain falls as far eastward as the country 



continues hilly, but beyond this the supply is scanty and precarious. 



In August 1824, a good deal of rain fell at Darwar ; while at the same 



time, not a drop had fallen fifteen miles to the east, and the wells there 

 were nearly dried up. For three weeks in July and August this year 



(1S27), nearly incessant rain fell at Darwar; and during the same 

 time, not a drop fell in the eastern parts of the district. 



The difference in the habits and mode of life of the inhabitants of 

 the western and eastern parts of the district, abundantly testifies how 

 very opposite are their respective climates. In many places, the for- 

 mer are often for weeks during the monsoon confined to their own vil- 

 lages or huts, not only by the severity of the rains, but in many instan- 

 ces by the stoppage of their communication by the swollen nullahs. 

 During this dreary period, (in anticipation of which a stock of provisi- 

 ons is always laid in as a ship is supplied for a voyage), the inhabitants 

 sit round a fire in the centre of their miserable dwellings, which are 

 thus constantly filled with smoke. When they do venture out in this 

 weather, they wrap themselves in a cumly* and over this they place 

 " a sort of thatched case or shell, made of the leaves of the jarf, or 

 some other of the palm tribe. It is broad over the whole back and 

 shoulders, narrowing to a peak immediately over the head, and coming 

 down the front over the face, just so far as is necessary to give it a 

 firm hold, with a slope sufficient to carry the water that falls on it 

 clear of the body 



In the eastern parts, it is very different. The rain is seldom so 

 severe as to prevent the inhabitants from going out for four and twenty 

 hours at one time : — and there, precautions against heat, not against 

 cold, are necessary. 



The villages in the western parts consist of thatched huts, whose 

 steep sloping roofs nearly reach the ground, the walls being only a 

 few feet high, that they may be effectually protected from the rain. 

 Every spot is covered with vegetation. Hedges and trees covered with 

 twining plants line the roads, and the thatched roofs are often con- 

 cealed by creepers, generally cucumbers, pumpkins, &c. 



The villages in the eastern parts present a curious contrast to the 

 above. Generally not a spot of green, for many months in the year, 

 relieves the horrid glare. All is parched and brown. No protection 

 being required against heavy rain, the houses are built entirely oC 

 clay, which one heavy shower, such as the western inhabitants con- 

 stantly experience, wouldcompletely level to the ground. The walls 

 of the houses are formed of smvbaked clay, and are from eight to ten 



* A native blanket, t Bora3.sus flafcellifonrus, * Marshall, op. citat, 



