The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-11-17

coast line rs formed, Cape ST. Rogue fos Amer
ics bat the winds which cross this line between Cape
81 Rogue and the sihmus have irayersed the Atlantic
ocean and Caribbean ssahence they reach the land drip
ping with moisture; whereas, in Africa. the northeast
trades which the coast line from Cape Guardafai
TO the ishmus OF Susz have sucked up vapo from the
Red sea onlythereiore the quantity OF moisture which
these winds carry into the interior OF Africa is not by
any means so great as that which those OF the Atlantic
carry over into South America. The difference is as
great is the difference of the eyaporang surface ex
posed 10 the northeast trade winds by the Atlantic the
one hand. the Red sea the ether
The too systems OF trade windslhe northeast and the
soaihesstmeet in the interior of South America. some.
where between the equator and the isthmus This place
OF meeting is place OF cams and where is there il
rainy. areNH
This and other meteorological agents. divide the sea
sons in the northern portions OF South America especial
yhe valley OF the Oronoco into the rainy and the dry
six months OF constant rain. six months of blightng
drought.
Not 80 in the valley OF the Amazon There the wealth
er is agreeable all the year round; and though more
rain falls there in months than in Others does
here with us, still there, here. il may rain, aud does
rain, any day in the year. ,atN
Now, think that any one who has followed me with
map will perceive why this inter.tropca region Of
South America or that part OF is wafer shed which from
Panama 10 the parallel of 80 50 deg s. slopes towards
The Atlantic has, and ought have the most remar
climate in the world We have seen that Eastern Afri-
ca, and Eastern Africa alone resembles il in con6gura-
lion OF shore line alone for the evaporating surface and
the supplies OF vnpor are wanting and therefore South
Africa cannot be nearly well supplied with rains and
consequently with rivers as is South America.
In all the other Inter tropical regions Of the wodin
india in Western Africa, New Holland, and Polynesia
the year divided out into the rainy and the dry
during the latter OF which little water falls springs
60 dry, and cattle perish and dead bodies poluie the air
Then, too, stalks forth in those countries the pesience
that walketh in darkness"
In the valley OF the Amazon such condition exists
There the fall of water. though copiousthe river ANA
zon is the rain gaugeis not compressed within few
months accompanied by the terrible hurricanes and
ornadoes which rage at the change OF in India
Here, in America, gentle and fruitful showers fall daily
and tornadoes are unknown
Because the Amazon Is in tropical country the pub
lie is disposed TO Judge of its climates by comparing them
with the climates OF other tropical counriesas India for
example. But, for the reasons stated, and because
there monsoons other conditions to cause the
valley of the Amazon TO be parched with drought at
one season, and drenched with rains at anoher--as
India is one hand, and the Oronoco country on
the other-there is more resemblance between the
climates OF India and the Amazon than there 10 be.
tween the climates of Rome and Boston; and any
who would infer similarity Of climate from the fact
that Boston and Rome in the latitude would not
be more out than he who infers similarity Of climate
between India and Amazonia because they both are op-
cal countries
Now, what ought 10 be the condition of an inter -op-
cal country whose plains watered with frequent
showers, nnaccompaned by single drought during ages
Of perpetual summer Why. fertility and saubrity; for
in such climate anything and everything will grow
The rapid production and constant decay OF vegetable
matter that have been going there for thousands
and thousands OF years must have made the soil rich
with vegetable mould
The Tact that vegetation there is in perpetual activity
that there there is period OF vegetable repose-thai
fast leaf falls and begins decay other leaves
just putting forth absorb its gases-makes the valley in
the Amazon one OF the most saabrious and delightful
of climates.
Having shown that the climate OF tue La Plata and
Amazon country is climate without droughs, and that
IL is moist and warm climate, have established enough
to satisfy any that the soil there. whatever be the
substratum must have upon il rich vegetable mould
which the decay OF the most rank vegetation during
ages must have formed
In my next shall proceed TO show what travellers and
OF science, who have explored various portions of
this wonderful region OF country, say to its produc
tons. fs commerce, and the navigabily OF its water.
| courses. INCA.