The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-08-31
BAxNE. FAYETTEVILLE NJ c., AUGUST 81 1850
From the African Repository.
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA.
BY DIR. J. W. LUEGENBEEL.

BY DIR. J. w. LUEGENBEEL.
CLIMATE AND SEAsoSs.-The territory
of Liberia being within few degrees Of the
equator. of course the nature of the climate
is essentially different from that Of the
United States, the vicissitude of spring,
| summer, autumn. and winter, not being
experienced in the equatorial regions Of
the earth, there being continued summer
weather throughout the year; interrupted
only by occasional slight variations in the
thermometrical state Of the atmosphere :;
caused by the greater strength Of the or
dinary breezes, and by clouds and rain !;
which latter prevail so much more, during
half of the year, than during the other half,
as to give rise to the usually recognized
division Of the year into two seasons-the
,0et or rainy season, and the dry season !;
or. IN common parlance, s. the rains" and
"the dries - the former Of which answers
nearly to summer and autumn. and the
latter to winter and spying, in temperate
latitudes.
This unqualified and some what arbitrary
division of the year, however, has led many
persons into error, respecting the real state
Of the weather, during these two seasons );
some supposing that during the rainy sea-
son, more or less rain falls every day !;
and, on the other hand, during the dry
season, an uninterrupted spell Of hot and
dry weather prevails for six successive
months. This is so far from being the
case, that, asa general rule, it may be
stated, that some rain falls during every
month in the year and, in every month,
there is some fine, clear, pleasant weather.
During my residence in Liberia, l seldom
observed deviation from this general rule.
Much more rain. however, falls. during
the six months beginning with May. than
during the remaining six months beginning
with November. 1t is difficult, however,
to determine at what time each OF the two
seasons actually commences and closes.
AS general rule, think the middle Of
May may be set down as the beg inning OF
the rainy season, and the middle Of Novem
Der that of the dry season. In order,
however. to 2 i've an accurate and compre-
hensive statement Of the character OF the
climate and seasons of Liberia, it may be
the best plan, to note the vicisstudes Of
each month in the year, as they are suaily
presented.
January is usually the driest, and one
Of the warmest months in the year. Some
times, during this month. no rain at all
falls !; but generally there are occasional
slight showers, particularly at night.
Were it not for the sca-breeZe, which
prevails with almost uninterrupted regu-
larity, during the greater part OF the day, on
almost every day throughout the year. the
weather would be exceedingly oppressive,
during the first three or four months of the
year. AS it is, the opPresslveness OF the
rays Of the tropical sun, is greatly mit,gat-
ed by the cooling breezes from the ocean
which usually blow from about 10 o'clock
A. Nj. to about 10 p. NJ, land-breeze
occupying the remainder Of the night and
morning except for an hour or two
about the middle of the night, and about
an hour in the forenoon. During these
intervals, the atmosphere is sometimes very
oppressive. The regularity Of the sea
breeze, especially during the month of
January, is sometimes interrupted by the
longer continuance Of the landbreeze.
which occasionally does not cease blowing
until or 8 O'Clock p. NJ. This is what
is called the harmatfan wind about which
a great deal has been written but which
does not generally fully accord with the
forced descriptions of hasty observers or
copyists.
The principal popularity OF the barmat-
tan wind consists in its drying properties
aud its very sensible GOODNESS, especially
early in the morning. 1t seldom, perhaps
never, continues during the whole day;
and usually not much longer than the or;
dinarv land-breeze, at other times III the
year. When this wind blows pretty strong
lv, the leaves and covers OF books some
times curl, as if they had been placed near
a fire: the seams of furniture, and OF
wooden vessels, sometimes open cons'dera-
bly. and the skin Of persons sometimes
feels peculiarly dry and unpleasant, IN
consequence Of the rapid evaporation OF
both the sensible and the insensible per-
spiration. But these effects are usually
by no means so great as they have been
represented to be. What is generally
called the harmattan season usually COM
mences about the middle Of December,
and continues until the latter part OF Fe-
bruary. During this time, especially dur
ing the month Of January. the atmosphere
has smoky appearance, similar to what
is termed Indian summer in the United
States, but generally more hazy.
The average height of the mercury IN
the thermometer, during the month OF
January, is about s5 deg, it seldom varies
more than 10 deg, during the twenty
four hours Of the day and usually It does
not vary more than four degrees between
the hours Of 10 a. NJ. and 10 P. NJ. Dur
this month. however. | have seen the mer-
cury stand at the lowest mark, at which
| ever observed it, in Liberia, that is. at
IS deg. This was early in the morning:
during the prevalence of strong and
very cool land-breeze. During this month
| have also seen the mercury stand At the
4 ~nkNn f0T u