July 1906] Mycological Expedition to Guatemala 
139 
CLIMATE. 
While it is a tropical climate the varying altitudes afford 
considerable variation in temperature — this being more pro¬ 
nounced than the variation from season to season (Winter to 
Summer) in any given locality. As to the latter, it may be said 
that the Winter temperature is but slightly below that of the 
Summer months — perhaps io or 12 degrees. The daily range 
is not great — the nights however being quite cool — invariably 
10 (or even 20) degrees or more below that of noonday. Near 
the coast the temperature is often about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 
At an altitude of 5,000 feet 70 to 80 degrees may be considered 
a fair estimate for midday temperatures. At 8,000 feet, the 
highest point for which records are available, Quezaltenango, the 
temperature is much lower. The monthly extremes as recorded 
by Rev. W. E. McBath, of that city, are given below. A self 
recording instrument was used and the readings for the year 
1905 were as follows, — the highest and lowest record for morn¬ 
ing and for evening being shown: 
January, A. M., 
26 and 
49; 
P. M., 
55 
and 
7o° 
F, 
February, 
30 
66 
49; 
(c 
61 
tt 
73° 
tt 
March, 
29 
66 
54; 
tt 
70 
tt 
79° 
tt 
April, 
41 
66 
56; 
a 
70 
tt 
8o° 
tt 
May, 
45 
66 
57; 
tt 
70 
tt 
78° 
tt 
June, 
47 
66 
56; 
tt 
65 
tt 
77° 
tt 
July, 
42 
66 
55; 
tt 
62 
tt 
74° 
te 
August, 
42 
66 
55; 
tt 
65 
tt 
75° 
tt 
September, “ 
43 
66 
55; 
tt 
63 
tt 
75° 
tt 
October, 
38 
66 
56; 
tt 
62 
tt 
73° 
tt 
November, “ 
38 
66 
54; 
tt 
66 
tt 
72 0 
tt 
December, 
29 
66 
49; 
tt 
63 
tt 
69° 
tt 
While no records can be given for the very high volcanoes, 
it can be stated that no freezing temperatures were exprienced 
though the cold seemed very severe. No snow was seen during 
the winters of 1905 and ’6. There is no snow line in the Republic 
of Guatemala, but the inhabitants state that at rare times snow is 
seen on the highest mountains. 
HYDROGRAPHY. 
Throughout the country there is an alternation of a rainy 
and a dry season. Abundant precipitation usually begins in May 
and ceases in October; the months between October and May 
constitute the dry season at which time no rains fall except in the 
low country near the coast and in the Department of Alta Vera- 
paz. In the latter regions rains are common throughout the year 
but the precipitation is comparatively slight during the so-called 
