114 SKETCH OF THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 
is sometimes an increase instead of a decrease from the first to tlic 
last of these. In the years when this happened it is observable that 
there was a sudden considerable fall from the last of the summer to 
the first of the autumn months; in 1820 from June to July of near¬ 
ly 4°; in 1822 from July to August of 4. 4°; and in 1825 from June 
to J uly of perhaps 2°. The transition from winter to spring or sum¬ 
mer is also sometimes sudden. Thus in 1821 the temperature passed 
from 80° in Jan. to 83. 5° in February, and in 1825 from 80. 9 P in 
Jan. to 85. 2° in February. In more recent years we have notic¬ 
ed this sudden change from the raw, cold, and rainy weather of the 
winter months to full summer heat in February. Cold breezes from 
the N. and N. E., however, continue for a time to sweep over us, 
and, when they rise, the instantaneous transition from hot to cold is 
far from agreeable. 
In 1820 the maximum of heat was in June ; in 1821, in May; 
in 1822, in July; in 1823 in September , (but there was nearly the 
same temperature in April and July) ; in 1824 in July; and in 1825 
in February. 
The minimum of heat was in the cold season of 1820-21 in 
January; in 1821-22 in December ; in 1822-23 in December; in 
1823-24 in November; in 1824-25 in December. 
The imperfection of our meteorological registers has obliged us to 
give the preceding details instead of a more general account ol the 
climate, which could hardly have been rendered accurate. Before 
we can safely reduce our experience into general laws, we must have 
regular contemporaneous observations carried on at our three Set¬ 
tlements for a period of not less than ten years. The irregularities, 
when a few years only are considered, are so great that even that 
period would probably he too short.* 
Currents . The currents of the Straits of Malacca are remark¬ 
able. From the Arroas to Junk-ceylon the current in both monsoons 
* These observations would be attended with little trouble and expenee 
when the requisite instruments had been once provided, and we venture to 
express a hope that when the subject is brought to the notice of Government 
it will be induced to furnish them, and take measures for ensuring an unin¬ 
terrupted series of observations. We have no doubt that at each Station 
individuals will always be found who would willingly superintend them. 
