368 Mr Lawson on the Trade-Winds of Barbadoes. 



gradually deflected from its original direction more and more 

 to the eastward, as it approaches the point E. The NW. 

 current, which naturally lies above the trade-wind, will 

 first impinge on the earth's surface from A to C, along 

 the S E. or central margin of the north-easterly current, in 

 the quadrant WS., and will extend over the southern half of 

 the quadrant S E. The SW. current, in like manner, flowing 

 above that from the NW., will equally reach the earth along 

 its north-eastern or central margin from B to C, and 

 will be felt over the remaining half of the quadrant S E, 

 and also over a variable portion of EN. Owing to the 

 great diminution of pressure, in the centre of the storm, 

 the lowest portions of the atmosphere, over the whole of the 

 south-eastern quadrant, will be forced inwards towards it, 

 and under the outer edge of the south-westerly current, so 

 that, while portions of the trade, having their southerly mo- 

 tion checked, still retain their easterly direction, will be felt 

 as breezes from the E., ESE., or SE. ; other portions of air, 

 nearer the south, will flow more nearly north, and will, con- 

 sequently, be experienced as southerly winds ; and the tran- 

 sition from these to those from the SE., or the deflected por- 

 tion of the trades, at any given point, will occur gradually 

 as the storm passes to the westward. Though not mentioned 

 above, the great diminution of pressure towards the centre 

 of the storm, will always cause a certain amount of centri- 

 petal motion in the surrounding currents. 



48. According to these views, there is no actual gyration 

 in the hurricane, but the various currents which contribute 

 to produce it, are first deflected downwards to the earth's 

 surface, and, as soon as they pass its limits, again assume 

 their proper level in the atmosphere, and continue their ori- 

 ginal course without interruption. It follows, too, from these 

 views, that at a point on the south-western margin of the 

 storm, the raising of the wind from NE. to NW. may be ex- 

 perienced simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, with the 

 same changes in the centre of the storms ; and, also, that 

 strong winds from the NW., veering to SW. and S., may 

 be felt completely to the south-eastward of the point at 

 which the acceleration of the trade- wind first occurred, or 



