APPROACH OF THE JiAIXY SEASON. 
146 
from May to October, and comprehending consequently the 
periods of the greatest heats, which occur in July and 
August.* • 
Nothing can equal the clearness of the atmosphere from 
!T e month of December to that of February. The sky is 
then constantly without clouds ; and if one should appear, 
■V 8 / 1 Phenomenon that engages the whole attention of the 
habitants. A breeze from the east, and from east-north- 
east, blows with violence. As it brings with it air always of 
coolfr me tem P erature ’ ttlc vapours cannot become visible by 
th^M° Ut tllG end of February and the beginniug of March, 
e lue of the sky is less intense, the hygrometer indicates 
y degrees greater humidity, the stars are sometimes veiled 
siWi g , stratllm of vapour, and their light is no longer 
f: 1 and planetary ; they are seen twinkling from time to 
idpv' C .It 611 ~^° a ^ ove the horizon. The breeze at this 
L T , 0d . becomes less strong, less regular, and is often inter- 
sonff , < ea( calms. The clouds accumulate towards 
o “{^-south-east, appearing like distant mountains, with 
therJ, ne i S Kt, '°' lgl - V marked. From time to time they detacli 
skv -i from tho h °n'zoii, and traverse the vault of the 
J with a rapidity which little corresponds with the feeble 
of M pr , evailin S in the lower strata of the air. At the end 
V s ri thf: soutllern region of the atmosphere is illumined 
j smali electric explosions. They are like phosphorescent 
from t- cu- cumscnbed by vapour. The breeze then shifts 
west T t0 , tlme ’ and for several hours together, to the 
of the • south - west - Thls « a certain sign of the approacl . 
oiidnfA 7 -f as ° n ’ whie h begins at the Orinoco about the 
s Ptearl a , ie ^lue s Ky disappears, and a grey tint 
0ver it " At the same time the heat, of the 
are B P f ere progressively increases ; and soon the heavens 
The Til < ' ngor obscured by clouds, hut by condensed vapours, 
befor aiu1 lv ® cry °f the howling apes begins to be heard 
sunrise. The atmospheric electricity, which, during 
* rp. 
is not felt on the coast, at Cumana, at La 
r e PtemW . m neighbouring island of Margareta, before the month of 
jjat fail qf ’ J 11 ? “ie ru “ 1B » ^ *be name can be given to a few drops 
^ Qv ember lntervft * s : are observed only in the months of October and 
V °*. II. 
