486 NOTES OF A BOTANIST chap, xm 
several seconds elapse ere this augment occurs, 
and the report is mostly heard first. As the last 
few drops of a heavy thunder-shower are falling, 
there are often two or three very loud and close 
reports like parting salutes, which may sometimes 
be seen to bring the rain pouring down in the 
advanced position of the storm. 
Sept. 30. — We had fine and tolerably dry weather 
for some days before the equinox, but when the 
sun had passed we had every day in the afternoon 
(say from 4 o'clock to half-past 4) violent squalls 
with heavy thunder and rain, which are said to have 
fallen heavier lower down the river at Marabitanas. 
It was thus up to the 28th, when the day opened 
with thick fog and was afterwards fair and hot 
throughout. On the 29th and 30th the afternoon 
showers returned, and this day the thunder has 
been particularly loud and frequent. 
