throughout. In April and May, before the rains
had set in, the thermometer in the shade rose daily
to from 95 to 96 of Farenheit. In December
and January, we were told that it occasionally fell
to 72. These may be considered the extremes
of heat and cold in this country. Of the winds
it is scarcely necessary to speak. As in other
Indian countries to the north of the Equator,
a north-east wind prevails throughout the winter,
and a south-west throughout the summer
solstice, leaving a period of about six weeks of
inconstant winds and calms at each of the
changes.
The Siamese themselves, in reference to the
rise and fall of the Menam within the tract of
inundation, give the following account of their
seasons. In the sixth month of their year, generally
corresponding to the end of April and
beginning of May, the rainy season commences,
and the ceremony of the Sovereign holding the
plough on the 6th day of the bright half of this
moon is intended to commemorate that event as
well as the commencement of rural labour. In
the seventh month the rain is heavier, and the
greatest fall takes place in the eighth, ninth,
and tenth months. In the eleventh month the
rain is light, and about the middle of the twelfth
it ceases altogether. The Menam at Bangkok
does not begin to rise until the tenth month:
it continues to do so during the eleventh, twelfth,
and first months, when the inundation is at its
height. In the second month the waters sub-
side, and they are at the lowest during the fourth,
fifth, and six months. Although the Menam does
not begin to rise at Bangkok until the tenth
month, it commences farther to the North much
sooner, and towards the northern frontier as early
as the seventh month. The greatest rise of the
river is eighteen feet.
The climate of Bangkok, although the heat be
great in the warm months, the place itself low,
the surrounding country subject to periodical
inundation, and covered with fields of marsh
rice, is far from being unhealthy. Our party
amounting, including the ship’s, company, to one
hundred and thirty persons, resided for four
months on the banks of the Menam, not very
conveniently lodged, and yet in all this period,
Commonly considered the most unhealthy season
in tropical countries, no death occurred from
any complaint contracted by the climate, nor
indeed was any one affected with a serious malady
which could be connected with our situation.
The natives of Bangkok themselves consider
the country healthy, and their frames, robust
and vigorous for an Indian people, appear
to afford evidence that they enjoy the advantage
of a wholesome climate.
The geology and mineralogy of Siam are as
yet almost unexplored, and on this subject I