Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-26

II - SutStSu6u Dy NE weather anu II GEAR
sky. Nothing can exceed the climate of
Porto Rico at this season; one can only
compare 1t to the month of May In this de-
lightful province of Andalusia, where the
cold of winter and the burning heat OF
summer are tempered by the cool fresh
ness of spring. This is considered to be
the health lest season of the year. when n
European may visit the tropics without
.car.
The small islands. destitute of wood and
high mountains, which have a powerful
effect in attracting the clouds, suffer much
from drought. 1t sometimes happens that
In Curacao, ST. Bartholomew and other
Islands there are whole years without
drop OF rain, and after exhausting their
cisterns the inhabitants compelled to
import water from the rivers of other
islands.
THE land breeze IS an advantage which
the large islands derive from the Unequal
ity of their surface for as soon as the sea
freeze dies away the hot air of the valleys.
being rarefed, ascendS toward the tops of
the mountains, and is there condensed by
cold, which makes it specifically heavier
than 1t was before; 1t then descends back
to the valleys on both sides of the ridge.
Hence a night wind, blowing on all sides
from the land toward the Shore. is felt in
all the mountainous countries under the
torrid zone. On the north shore the wind
comes from the south, and on the south
shore from the north.
Storms and Hurricanes.
The hurricanes which visit the islands,
and which obey the general laws of trop-
ical cyclones, are one of the worst scourges
of the country. For hours before the ap-
pearance of this terrible phenomenon the
sea appears calm; the waves come from
long distance very gently until near the
shore. when they suddenly rise IL i'm
PEELED by a superior force, daShing against
the land with extraordinary violence and
fearful noise. Together with this sign, the
air Is noticed to be disturbed the sun red
and the stars obscured by a vapor which
seems to magnify them. A strong odor is
perceived in the sea- which is sulphureous
in the waters of rivers, and there are sud-
den changes in the wind These omens, to-
gether with the signs of uneasiness mani
tested by various animals, foretell the
proximity of a hurricane
This is a sort Of W hirlwind, accompanied
by rain. thunder and lightning sometimes
by earthquake shocks. and always by the
most terrible and devastating circum-
stances that can possibly combine to ruin
country in a few hours. A clear, serene
day is followed by the darkest night; the
delightful view offered by woods and prai-
ries is diverted into the dreary waste of
cruel winter; the tallest and most robust
cedar trees are uprooted, broken oft bodily
and hurled into a heap; roofs, balconies
and windows of holses are carried through
the air like dry leaves, and in all directions
are seen houses and estates laid waste and
thrown into confusion.
The fierce roar of the water and Of the
trees being destroyed by the winds, the
cries and means of persons, the believing
of cattle and neighing of horses which are
being carried from place to place by the
whirlwinds, the torrents of water inundat-
ing the fields, and deluge of fire being let
loose in flashes and streaks of lightning.
seem to announce the last convulsons of
the universe and the death agonies of
ture itself.
Sometimes these hurricanes are felt only
on the north coast, at others on the south
coast, although generally their influence
extends throughout the island
In 1925 a hurricane DESTROYED the towns
of PatillaS, Maunabo, Yabucoa, Humacao,
Gurabo and Caguas, causing much damage
in other towns in the east, north and center
of the island.
Earthquakes.
Earthquakes are somewhat frequent, but
not violent of great consequence. The
natives foretell them by noticing clouds
settle near the ground for some time in the
open places among the mountains. The
water of the springs emits sulphurous
odor or leaves a strange taste in the mouth
birds gather in large 1ocks and fly about
uttering shriller cries than usual: cattle
below and horses neigh, etc. A few hours
beforehand the air becomes calm and dim
med by vapors which arise from the
ground, and few moments before there is
slight breeze, followed at intervals of
two or three minutes by a deep rumbling
noise, accompanied by a sudden gust of
wind, which are the forerunners OF the vi
braton, the latter following Immediately.
These shocks are sometimes violent and
are usually repeated, but owing to the spe-
cial construction of the houses they cause
no damage.
For seven hours the tide runs rapidly in
a northwest direction, returning in the OPP
posite direction with equal rapidity for five
hours.
great chain of mountains divides the
islands into two parts, northern and south
ern, which are called by the natives Ban
da del Norte and Banda del Sur. This
chain sends out long qualifications toward
the coasts, the interstices of which form
beautiful and fertile valleys, composed in
the high parts of white and red earths, on
the spurs of black and weaker earthS, and
near the coasts of sand
The whole island may be said to form
continuous network of sierras, hills and
heights.
Few countries of the extent of Porto
Rico are watered by so many streams
Seventeen rivers, taking their rise in the
mountains, cross the valleys of the north
coast and empty into the Some of
these are naVigable two three leagues
from their mouths for schooners and small
coaStlng vessels.
Few Highways.
There are few roads ways of COM
munication which are worthy Of mention
with the exception of the broad pike which
starts from the capital and runs along the
coast, passing through the following towns:
Aguadilla, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Humacao,
Juana Diaz, Mayaguez, Ponce and San Ger
man. 1t has no bridges; is good in dry
weather, but in the rainy season is impass-
able for wagons and even at times for
horsemen.
For interior communication there only
few local roads or paths They are usual
ly two yards in width, made by the various
owners, and cannot be well Travelled in
rainy weather. They are more properly
horse and mule trails, and oblige people to
go in single file. In late years much has
baen attempted to improve the highways
connecting the principal cities, and more
has been accomplished than in Spanish
colonies There is a good made road con-
Meeting Ponce On the southern coast with
San Juan, the capital. Other good roads
also extend for short distance along the
north coast and along the south coast. The
road from Guayama is also said to be
passably good one.
There are in the island about $50 miles
of excellent road, and this is all that re-
ceives any attention, transportation being
effected elsewhere on horseback.
Administration.
From an administrative standpoint Porto
Rico Is not considered as a colony, but as
province of Spain, assimilated to the re-
manning provinces. The governor general,
representing the monarchy. is at the same