HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
3 *7 
of the south-east blows on the southern side; and when the north-east monsoon 
succeeds that of the south-west, to the north of the line, a monsoon is observed to 
reign in the southern quarter, where the winds blow north-west by west, and in 
some places from south-west. 
44 The south-west monsoon lasts from the 15th of April to the 15th of October, 
in all the extent of the seas comprehended between the coasts of Africa, Arabia, 
and Japan. 
“ The north-east monsoon reigns in the same seas from the 15th of October to 
the 15th of April, with the exception of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Persia, which 
have their own particular winds. 
44 The Straits of Malacca might also be added, where the winds are almost always 
inconstant and variable; and where the monsoons are of short duration. Neverthe¬ 
less, while the south-west and north-east winds are most violent without the Straits, 
it blows moderately from the same quarter within this of Malacca; that is, from the 
east in December and January, and the west quarter in June and July. 
“ The change of these monsoons is always gradual. The variable winds prevail 
-in the interval between them; but these revolutions are generally followed and 
sometimes preceded by tempests and hurricanes, particularly when the north-east 
monsoon succeeds to that of the south-west; that is, in the months of October and 
November: those which happen in April are less frequent and impetuous. 
44 The south-east and north-west monsoons, which blow to the south of the Equa¬ 
tor, are confined to less extensive limits; since they are not perceived in the South 
Sea but from the Equinoctial line, to the 8th or 9th degree of latitude, and the 12th 
or 13th degree towards the Isles of Sunda, Timor, &c. &c. As to their western and 
eastern limits, it is observed that they do not blow but from the meridian, which passes 
near the north point of Madagascar, to the Molucca Islands. 
“ The winds during these two monsoons have, at the same time, a very different 
direction from those which prevail to the north of the Equator; for while they come 
on that side from the south-west, they blow on the opposite side from the south-east. 
When the monsoon of the north-west, which seldom begins till November on the 
south of the line, prevails from that part, the north-east winds blow from the 
northern side. 
“ As to their change, it is not accompanied with hurricane or tempest, as it 
happens with those that take place on the northern side; and though the weather 
