1862.] on Meteorological Telegraphy, 445 



instance, by applications since sent officially from all the principal 

 ports, and from the chief associations of Underwriters, in addition to 

 Admiralty approval, and the co-operation of the Coast-guard. 



In August, 1861, the first 'published *' forecasts" of weather were 

 tried ; and after another half-year had elapsed for gaining experience 

 by varied tentative arrangements, the present system was established. 

 Twenty reports are now received each morning (except Sundays), and 

 ten each afternoon, besides five from the Continent. Double forecasts 

 {two days in advance) are published, with the full tables (on which they 

 chiefly depend), and are sent to six daily papers, to one weekly, — to 

 Lloyds* — to the Admiralty,— and to the Horse Guards, besides the 

 Board of Trade. 



These forecasts add almost nothing to the pecuniary expense of the 

 system, — while their usefulness, practically, is said to be more and 

 more recognized.* Warnings of storms arise out of them ; and (scarcely 

 enough considered) the satisfaction of knowing that no very bad 

 weather is imminent, may be very great to a person about to cross 

 the sea. Thus their negative evidence may be actually little less 

 valuable than the positive. 



Prophecies or predictions they are not: — the term forecast is 

 strictly applicable to such an opinion as is the result of a scientific com- 

 bination and calculation, liable to be occasionally, though rarely, mar- 

 red by an unexpected " downrush," \ of southerly wind, or by a rapid 

 electrical action not yet sufficiently indicated to our extremely limited 

 sight and feeling. We shall know more and more by degrees. At 

 present it is satisfactory to know that the measures practised daily in 

 these proceedings do not depend solely on one individual. They are 

 the results of facts exactly recorded, — and deductions from their con- 

 sideration, for which rules have been given. An assistant has been 

 practised and is able to share their responsibility. Others are also 

 advancing in the subject of dynamical meteorology. 



Air currents sometimes flow side by side, though in opposite direc- 

 tions, as " parallel streams,** for hundreds or even thousands of miles. 

 Sometimes they are more or less superposed — occasionally, indeed 

 frequently^ crossing at various angles ; sometimes combining, and by 

 the composition of their forces and qualities causing those varieties of 

 weather that are experienced as the wind veers more toward or from 

 the equator or the nearest pole ; and sometimes so antagonistic in their 

 angular collision as to cause those large circling eddies or rotatory 

 storms called cyclones (in modern parlance), which are really like the 

 greater storms in all parts of the world, although they do not quite 

 assimilate to those local whirlwinds, dust-sto]jps, and other commotions 



* At a recent meeting of the shareholders of the Great Western Docks, at 

 Stonehouse, Plymouth, it was stated officially that "the deficiency (in revenue) 

 is to be attributed chiefly to the absence of vessels requiring the use of the graving 

 docks for the purpose of repairing the damages occasioned by storms and casual- 

 ties at sea."— (Feb. 24, 1862.) 



t Herschel. 



