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found all along the southern coast ; usually these only reach 25 
feet above water level, though in one place a coral reef is found 
130 feet above sea level. 
In regard to temperature, the island possesses the same equable 
climate as that enjoyed by the others of the same group; frost 
probably never occurs, even at the highest elevations. The trade 
winds are strong, especially during the winter months and on the 
northern coast. During long periods it is impossible to effect a 
landing at the settlements of Wailua and Pelekunu. Even along 
the south coast the winds are usually strong in the afternoon, and 
over the bare west end, or Kalaukoi, and over the gap the breezes 
sweep without hindrance. There is in general a wet season, ex- 
tending from October until the end of May, and a dry season in- 
cluding the summer months. On the whole, the west end, the 
gap, and the south shore as far as Kamalo are included in the arid 
zone of the island, while the whole northeasterly part may be 
counted as one of abundant precipitation. Accurate data regard- 
ing rainfall extending over any considerable period are not ob- 
tainable. 
Regarding the quality of rainfall in the mountains there is scant 
information. The annual precipitation probably reaches 100 
inches at elevations of 3,000 and 4,000 feet and is not far from 
this amount over considerable area on the north slope on the 
headwaters of Waikolu, Pelekunu and Wailau. 
It has been asserted that the rainfall on Molokai is decreasing. 
A]s far as the data go there is nothing to prove such an assertion. 
It is no doubt true that the island formerly supported a much 
denser population ; this is indicated, for instance, by many old 
garden patches at streams which are now dry or carry water only 
intermittently. All this is, however, most probably directly 
chargeable to the destruction of the forests and the following ir- 
regularity or disappearance of the water supply. 
The soils of Molokai are similar to those of the other islands of 
the Hawaiian group and are usually of great fertility. They may 
be divided into residual and sedimentary soils. 
The residual soils result from the gradual decomposition of the 
basaltic lavas and are usually deep red, very rich in iron and in 
substances necessary for plant growth. 
The sedimentary soils are partly of a deep-red color, partly 
dark brown, and not very different in character from the residual 
soils ; they consist, in fact, of the same substance merely trans- 
ported and redeposited. In a few places along the immediate 
coast line are small areas covered by coral sand, consisting largely 
of carbonate of lime, usually more or less mixed with detritus 
from the hills. 
The west end of the island contains a very great amount of 
good, smooth land, with excellent soil. In fact, the larger part 
of Kaluakoi is of this character, excepting the southern slope of 
the long ridge extending from Mauna Loa to the lighthouse, the 
