Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/332

310 descend, and the air gradually becomes cooler. During the winter the winds from the north-west and south-west are sometimes very boisterous; two or three gales occur in each winter, and are so violent at times as to drive ships which happen to be in Gage's roads from their anchors. However, no such accidents have occurred in the harbour of Cockburn Sound, where ships ride in great safety at all seasons. The sky in summer is clear and of a beautiful azure, without cloud, and with very little rain; moderate dews descend after sunset As the autumn approaches, the weather becomes less serene; the sky is occasionally darkened with clouds, and lightning and thunder with heavy showers occur. These rains are in sudden heavy showers, with intervals of fair weather and sunshine. As they come after a long scorching summer they are very acceptable and beneficial, for they mitigate the excessive heat of the air, and, softening the sun-burnt earth, render it capable of being cultivated. In winter it rains for the most part of two or three days together, then an interval of eight ox ten days of fine weather takes place. In damp weather a fog is seem occasionally of a morning or evening rising from the valleys and borders of the rivers, and ascending to the high grounds. Hail of a large size, about an inch in diameter, is sometimes mixed with the rain; snow has not been seen once, and ice is rare, being only seen out of doors a few times in the morning during the winter; it soon disappears after sun rise. A fire is agreeable morning and evening in the winter and in wet weather, but on the whole rather a luxury than an absolute want. The winter is a season of flowers; the beautiful Metrosideras, Styphelea, Hibbertia, a sweet scented little plant, called May, Oxylobium, and others, bloom at this season and, as the spring advances, a profusion of others succeed, amongst which the Anigozanihos, Kennodya, Hakea, Hovea, Helichrysum, Orchideæ, Drosera, and Thysanotus juncus, or fringed violet, are conspicuous. The latter part of the spring is significantly termed by the natives, the "season of the yellow flowers," the meadows being enamelled with flowers of all colours, but the yellow predominating to a great degree.

Adjoining the Swan River district, and eastward of the Darling range of mountains, is an extensive tract of fine pasture land; the part at present settled is called Yorkshire; it is a cheerful country, well watered, covered with a short close herbage, free from underwood, and thinly timbered, and having a soil fit for raising all sorts of grain suitable to the climate. The merino and other breeds of sheep thrive well here; some of the wool has already been sent home, and brought a