CHAPTER XX. Of the Climate and Seasons.— Winds.— Vegetable Productions. t Population.— General Observations on the Character and Disposition of the Mandingoes; and a summary Account of their Manners and Habits of Life, their Marriages, &c.. T h e whole of my route, both in going and returning, having been confined to a tract of country bounded nearly by the 12th and 15th parallels of latitude,, the reader must imagine that I found the climate in most places extremely ho t; but no where did I feel the heat so intense and oppressive as in the camp at Benowm, of which mention has been made in a former place. In some parts, where the country ascends into hills, the air is at all times comparatively cool ; yet none of the districts which I traversed, could properly be called mountainous. About the middle of June, the hot and sultry atmosphere is agitated by violent gusts of wind, (called tornadoes) accompanied with thunder and rain. These usher in what is denominated the rainy season ; which continues until the month of November. During this time, the diurnal rains are very heavy ; and the prevailing winds are from the south-west. The termination of the rainy season, is likewise attended with violent tornadoes ; after which the wind shifts to the north-east, and continues to blow from that quarter, during the rest of the year. ■ When the wind sets in from the north-east, it produces a wonderful change in the face of the country. The grass soon becomes dry and withered ; the rivers subside very rapidly, and many of the trees shed their leaves. About this period is commonly felt the harmattan, a dry and parching wind, blowing from the north-east, and accompanied by a thick smoky haze ; through which the sun appears of a dull red colour. This wind, in passing over the great desert of Sahara, acquires a very strong attraction for .humidity, and parches up every thing exposed to its current. It is, however, reckoned very salutary, particularly to Europeans, who generally recover their health during its continuance. I experienced immediate relief from sickness, both at Dr. Laidley's, and at Kamalia, during the harmattan. ■ Indeéd, the air during the rainy season is so loaded with moisture; that clothes, shoes, trunks, and every, thing that is not close to the fire, become damp and mouldy ; and the inhabitants may be said to live in a sort of vapour bath : but this dry wind braces up the solids, which were before relaxed, gives a cheerful flow of spirits, and is, even pleasant to respiration. Its ill effects are,1 that it produces, chaps in the lips, and- afflicts many of the natives with sore eyes. - Whenever the grass is sufficiently dry, the Negroes set it on fire ; but in Ludamar, and other Moorish countries, this practice is not allowed ; for it is upon the withered stubble that the Moors feed their cattle, until the return of the rains. The burning the grass in Manding exhibits a scene of terrific grandeur. In the middle of the night, I could see thé plains and mountains, as far as my eye could reach, variegated with L 1 3
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