1836.] 



Notes on the Climate of Coorg, 



3-11 



indication whatever of approaching changes of weather, and I have 

 not been able to detect any influence of the lunar phases on it. 



Moisture. — The hygrometrical state of the atmosphere during half 

 the year is that of extreme moisture closely approaching to saturation. 

 During the dry season it is occasionally very dry — and sometimes 

 undergoes most remarkable fluctuations* without evident cause, and 

 without any perceptible difference to the eye or feelings. 



A few detailed observations on each portion of the year may find a 

 place here. 



The months of January and February are cold and excessively dry — 

 the range of temperature is considerable (from 53° to 70° or 72°), 

 the mornings and evenings to the feelings excessively cold, while the 

 heat of the sun in the middle of the day, is tempered by a constant 

 cold breeze from the north-east ; but which frequently blows with such 

 violence, as to raise clouds of dust and become unpleasant. 



In March the cold of the nights becomes less sensible and the days 

 are warmer while the wind is less violent, the air still continues in ge- 

 neral dry, but fluctuates considerably. 



April and May are usually very pleasant months, the heat of the day 

 which begins to be oppressive out of doors, being tempered by frequent 

 heavy showers and thunder storms ; occasionally, though rarely, there 

 is some closeness in the air ; but the nights are almost always cool. 

 - In June the monsoon sets in, but at variable periods of the month — 

 the commencement is seldom violent, but about the end of the month, 

 the rain frequently falls in torrents. Between the 22d and 27th of 

 June 1835, there fell twenty-seven inches of rain, nearly equal to the 

 aggregate fall in England in the course of the year. 



This continues during July, August and September, with occasional 

 short intervals — the air is loaded with moisture, — the sun is scarcely 

 ever seen ; and when the rain ceases there is usually a dense fog. The 

 temperature is wonderfully equable, the extremes in the open air being 

 56° and 65°. 



In October there is an interval of bright and beautiful weather, ren- 

 dered the more delightful by contrast and by the intense green of the 

 luxuriant vegetation, — about the commencement of the month the wind 

 usually settles in the north-east, and when strong it is piercingly cold. 



November is a disagreeable month, as indeed it is, I believe, in 

 every corner of the northern hemisphere. The weather is blustery, 

 cold and showery, and there are frequent cold heavy fogs. 



In December the rain subsides into fog, and towards the end of the 

 month settles into bright clear cold weather, the mornings and even- 

 ings intensely cold to the feelings. 



* The dew point, in March last, between the 13th and 20th, fluctuated from— 17? (cen- 

 tigrade) to -j- 16.8. 



