British 7 Somaliland ] COAST ; RIVERS ; CLIMATE different from that of the interior plateau, but in both zones it is dry and healthy, although hot.

Maritime Zone. — Here the climatic conditions are governed by the north -east monsoon, which blows from November to March , and by the south -west monsoon , which blows from May to September. The north -east monsoon is somewhat erratic in November and December, but is steady from January to March inclusive. During these last three months there is no rain , and this is the healthiest time of the year. ' In November and December come the heaviest rains, which are said to fall usually in somewhat light showers, with occasional thunderstorm rain . The total annual rainfall is only 3-4 inches (75–100 mm. ) on the coast and 10–20 inches ( 254-508 mm. ) in the south . In January , the coldest month, the maximum and minimum shade temperatures recorded are 89° F.

(31.5° C. ) and 72° F. (22° C. ) respectively. In February the temperature begins to rise, and in April some times reaches its maximum height. In this month, after the departure of the north -east monsoon, there are calms and, late in the month , the south-west monsoon is ushered in by light rains. During this monsoon there is no rain except some light showers in July and, in some years , in September. The south-west wind, the karif, blows furiously every day from mid night until 2 p.m. during July, August, and Septem ber, and is varied occasionally by a sea-breeze in the evening. May and September are said to be the hottest months ; the highest recorded shade temperatures on the coast and in the interior of the maritime zone are 110° F. (43° C. ) and 118° F. (48° C. ) respectively, with corresponding minima of 80° F. (26-5° C. ) and 82° F. (28° C. ). October is a hot month with calms, very similar to April.

Interior Plateau . — The north -east monsoon does not