B. TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS AND METEOROLOGY. 45 



ture of any expected storm by means of signal masts; these 

 signal masts support two yards, crossing each other at right 

 angles in the direction of the cardinal points of the compass. 

 A violent squall is to be represented by a conspicuous dia- 

 mond-shaped signal ; a heavy sea by a drum ; a gale with 

 clear weather is indicated by a diamond-shaped signal over 

 a drum ; and one with thick weather and rain, with the same 

 signal under a drum. The direction in which the wind is 

 blowing is indicated by the particular yard-arm between 

 which and the mast-head the geometrical signal is suspended. 

 Gales that are general over a large portion of the coast are 

 indicated, without the mast-head flags, by the geometrical 

 figures. Newspaper. 



BRITISH AND AMERICAN STORM W T ARNINGS. 



A motion was made in the British Parliament, just before 

 its recent adjournment, for the appointment of a committee 

 to report upon the practical effect of the storm warnings is- 

 sued by the British Meteorological Office, specifying how many 

 had been verified by the result, and how many the contrary. 

 The return has, we believe, not yet been made, although the 

 general subject has been discussed at considerable length in 

 the London journals. It is well known that under the ad- 

 ministration of the government meteorological system of 

 storm warnings, under Admiral Fitzroy, the attempt was 

 made to indicate the probable approach of gales and storms, 

 with the general direction from which the storm was to be 

 expected. These were announced during the daytime by two 

 large bodies in the shape of a drum and a cone variously ad- 

 justed, and at night by means of lights. After Admiral Fitz- 

 roy's death, and the reorganization of the system, but one 

 drum was used, and that only raised to show that a serious 

 atmospheric disturbance existed somewhere on or near the 

 British coast ; this is exhibited for thirty-six hours after the 

 telegraphic message directing it to be hoisted, and is merely 

 intended to give an intimation to seamen to be on the look- 

 out for approaching bad weather. 



At the present time there are seventy-four drum signals in 

 England and Wales, thirty-two in Scotland, twelve in Ireland, 

 three in the Isle of Man, and two in Jersey. 



A similar system has quite recently been adopted by tile 



