The first week after their arrival seems to be devoted
to a general clearing up. The trades come with a
terrific roar, and blow day and night without ceasing
for a week, or a little less. People prefer, then, to
remain in the house with the doors and windows
closed. When the wind calms down to a normal
velocity, it is seen that dead leaves, dead branches,
and even dead grass have been blown away, and
the effect is something like that of the vernal equinox
in the temperate zones. There are frequent rains
throughout the summer, but the rainfall is heavier
in the winter, although there are many fair days.
Thunderstorms are so rare as to be phenomena!.
There are no extremes of heat and cold such as
prevail in the United States, when the torrid summer,
relaxing and enervating, may be followed by a



oyGoot^lc



1893-] HOUSES AND HABITS. 93

winter of arctic severity ; the maximum heat is 74°
Fahrenheit in the winter, and 84° in the summer;
the lowest winter temperature is 56°.
The houses are built with verandahs in the front
and in the rear, and frequently upon all four sides.
