Drizzling Rain, Sudden Showers

There is seldom or never such a thing in this part of Africa as a
"drizzling" or mizzling rain, all suddenly coming on and as suddenly
passing off; and should one be out and see indications of an approaching
rain, they must hurry to a near shelter, so suddenly does the shower
come on.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are sudden gusts or violent storms of wind and rain, which are
more or less feared, but which may always be known from other storms on
their approach, by the blackness of the clouds above, with the _segment
of a circle of lighter cloud_ just beneath the dark, and above the
horizon.

Summer

The entire _wet_ season may be justly termed the _summer_ instead of
"winter," as the old writers have it; and it is observable that at the
commencement of Spring in the temperate zones (March) vegetation starts
forth in Africa with renewed vigor.

Winter

_Winter_ is during the _dry_ season, and not the "wet," for the above
reason; and it is also worthy of remark, that during autumn in the
temperate zone (from October to the last of November) the foliage in
Africa begins to fade and fall from the trees in large quantities.

Harmattans

It is during this season that the _harmattans_ prevail, (from two to
three weeks in December) which consist of a _dry cold_ and _not_ a "dry
hot" wind as we have been taught; when furniture and wooden-ware _dries_
and _cracks_ for want of moisture, and the thermometer frequently rates
as low as 54 deg. Fahr. in the evening and early in the morning; when
blankets on the bed will not be out of place, and an evening and morning
fire may add to your comfort.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] I have received information from London, that an iron steam Tender
has already been sent out to Lagos by an English house.

XVII

CONCLUDING SUGGESTIONS

Native Mariners

It may not be generally known as a fact, which is of no little
importance in the industrial economy of Africa, that vessels of every
class, of all foreign nations, are manned and managed by native
Africans, so soon as they enter African waters.

The Krumen are the watermen or marines generally of Africa, going in
companies of greater or less numbers, with one in the lead called
"headman," who, hiring all the others, makes contracts with a vessel,
which is met outside of the roadsteads or harbors, to supply a certain
number of men to manage it during her coasting voyage. They usually
bring with