Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/349

1837.] and lightning on 10th, 17th and 18th. Winds N. E. and S. W.

November.— Twelve fine days, twelve cloudy, six rainy, viz. 3d, 4th, 22d, 23d, 29th and 30th (full moon); much lightning and thunder on evening of 22d at first quarter of the moon; winds N. E. and S. W.

December.— Hot and dry, with the exception of 10th, 22d, 23d, 24th and 28th, on which days rain fell in slight showers. The thermometer at 103° in the shade, and 123° exposed to the sun's rays on 17th. Winds N.-N. E. and S. W.

The prevalent diseases of this year were dysentery, opthalmia, fever, catarrhs and scurvy. A mild form of dysentery was the disease most commonly met with; cases have occurred in each month, but it prevailed most in April, after the weather began to break, with heavy rains, thunder and lightning: the medium range of the thermometer for the month being 68½, that of the barometer, 29.95.

1831.— The character of the seasons was, on the whole, milder in 1831, than in 1830; the winter more temperate, the rains more equally distributed through the seasons, and the winds more moderate. No severe gale occurred; during the summer the heat was less oppressive, and the medium range of the thermometer for the month of December five and a quarter degrees lower than, the corresponding month of last year.

January.— Hot and dry, except on the 5th, 13th and 14th, when some slight showers fell, at the changes of the moon; the 22d, 23d and 24th were very sultry, the thermometer rose in the shade to 102°, 104, and 106 at 2 on these successive days; and when exposed to the sun to 123, 127 and 130. The wind was from the north the greater part of the month: this is the hot wind of the colony; while it prevails, the weather is very sultry.

Prevalent disease dysentery. During the month of February the regular land and sea breeze occurred almost daily; thunder and