This wind, issuing from the chill north and robbed of its aqueous vapour in passing over the elevated mountain regions on the confines of China and Thibet, sweeps across the Bay of Bengal, whence its lowest strata imbibe a quantity of moisture, moderate in amount, yet still leaving the great mass of air far below saturation.

Hence it reaches Ceylon comparatively dry, and its general effects are parching and disagreeable.

This character is increased as the sun recedes towards its most southern declination, and the wind acquires a more direct draught from the north; passing over the Indian peninsula and almost totally digested of humidity, it blows down the western coast of the island, and is known there by the name of the "along-shore-wind." For a time its influence is uncomfortable and its effects injurious both to health and vegetation: it warps and rends furniture, dries up the surface of the earth, and withers the delicate verdure which had sprung up during the prevalence of the previous rains.

These characteristics, however, subside towards the end of the month, when the wind becomes somewhat variable with a westerly tendency and occasional showers; and the heat of the day is then partially compensated by the greater freshness of the nights.

The fall of rain within the month scarcely exceeds three inches.
[Sidenote: Wind N.E.
Temperature, 24 hours: Mean greatest 89 deg.
Mean least 71 deg.
Rain (inches) 2.1] _February_ is dry and hot during the day, but the nights are cloudless and cool, and the moonlight singularly agreeable.