18 
March they are often very severe, and at¬ 
tended with heavy falls of rain; hail¬ 
stones have been seen on the hills, but 
very seldom. With the exception of the 
two months already mentioned, the Island 
is rarely few days together without rain, 
which produces a constant verdure: and 
these frequent showers cool the air, and 
moderate the heat, which would other¬ 
wise be intense. The heaviest rains fall 
about November and December, when 
they frequently continue twenty-four 
hours without intermission. Dry seasons 
seldom occur, but instances have been 
known when no rain has fallen for near 
five months. Although the days are fre¬ 
quently very hot, the nights are generally 
cool and pleasant, as there are not more 
than ten nights in a year which can be 
considered as oppressive; a comlort not 
experienced in any other part oflndia. 
