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LAND AND SEA BREEZES. 59
14. LAND AND SEA BREEZES.
1. In many tropical countries the oppressive heat
is modified, and th e clima te of th e sea-shore made
refreshing and healthful, by th e regular alternation of
wind s which come from th e sea du ring th e day and
from th e land during the night. Thi s daily change
of wind is due to the fact that the land heats more
rapidly and also cools more rapidly than the water.
During th e heat of the day, th e air above th e land
becomes warm er than that abov e th e sea, and consequently
lighter. It therefore rises, or rather it is
pushed upwards by the colder air which flows towards
the land and ta kes its place. This movement of the
air constitutes th e sea-breeze.
2. \Vhen th e sun goes down, th e land cOOlS more
rapidly than th e sea, and the air overlying th e land
becomes colder and heavier than that above t he water.
A current of cold air from the land then flows out
seawards, pushing aside the warmer air, and form ing
th e land-breeze.
3. UpOIl the northern coast of Java th e phenomenon
of daily land and sea breezes is finely developed. As
the sun rises up out of the sea into th e cloudless
azure sky, all nature is yet fr esh with th e dews of
night. But as it climbs ever high er, th e land -breeze
goes to rest. Here and there it still plays over the
water, but finally it sinks exhausted, and there is a
great calm. Th e atmosphere becomes clearer und er
the intense heat, and th e gentle swell of the now
poli hed waves reflects th e sunshine lik e a thousand
mirrors.
4. All distant objects become distinct, and seem to