and blows with considerable force from the N. E. till about six or seven o’clock in the evening.  It is succeeded during the night by the land breeze from the mountains, which varies from W. S. W. to W. In very hot days the sea breeze often veersround to the North and blows a gale.  In this case it continues with great violence, frequently for a day or two, and is then succeeded not by the regularland breeze, but by a cold southerly squall.  The hot winds blow from the N. W. and doubtless imbibe their heat from the immense tract of country which they traverse.  While they prevail the sea and land breezes entirely cease.  They seldom, however, continue for more than two days at a time, and are always superseded by a cold southerly gale, generally accompanied with rain.  The thermometer then sinks sometimes as low as 60 degrees, and a variation of temperature of from 30 degrees to 40 degrees takes place in half an hour.  These southerly gales usually last at this season from twelve to twenty-four hours, and then give way to the regular sea and land breezes.

During these three months violent storms of thunder and lightning are very frequent, and the heavy falls of rain which take place on these occasions, tend considerably to refresh the country, of which the verdure in all but low moist situations entirely disappears.  At this season the most unpleasant part of the day is the interval which elapses between the cessation of the land breeze and the setting in of the sea.  This happens generally between six and eight o’clock in the morning, when the thermometer is upon an average at about 72 degrees.  During this interval the sea is as smooth as glass, and not a zephyr is found to disport even among the topmost boughs of the loftiest trees.

The three autumn months are March, April, and May.  The weather in March is generally very unsettled.  This month, in fact, may be considered the rainy season, and has been more fertile in floods than any other of the year.  The thermometer varies during the day about 15 degrees, being at day-light as low as from 55 degrees to 60 degrees, and at noon as high as from 70 degrees to 75 degrees.  The sea and land breezes at this time become very feeble, although they occasionally prevail during the whole year.  The usual winds from the end of March to the beginning of September, are from S. to S. W.

The weather in the commencement of April is frequently showery, but towards the middle it gradually becomes more settled, and towards the conclusion perfectly clear and serene.  The thermometer at the beginning of the month varies from 72 degrees to 74 degrees at noon, and from the middle to the end gradually declines to 66 degrees and sometimes to 60 degrees.  In the mornings it is as low as 52 degrees, and fires become in consequence general throughout the colony.

The weather in the month of May is truly delightful.  The atmosphere is perfectly cloudless, and the mornings and evenings become with the advance of the month more chilly, and render a good fire a highly comfortable and cheering guest.  Even during the middle of the day the most violent exercise may be taken without inconvenience.  The thermometer at sun-rise is under 50 degrees, and seldom above 60 degrees at noon.