ABSTRACT
There was often a shortage of water in the southern Gilberts—especially towards the end of the dry season, about October. Butaritari in the north had a more conventional tropical climate, with 100–120 in. of rain a year, and Tarawa could usually count on 60–70 in. But at the southern end of the group the average was less than 50; on Beru it was 45, almost all of it between November and March.
