PROBLEMS IN TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS. 



139 



the lower atmosphere, is moving eastward. This general statement is 

 subject to modification because of the facts previously alluded to, as 

 to different results from sunshine over land and water, desert and wood- 

 land, valley and elevation, etc., and the fact that in some regions high 

 mountain ranges interfere with atmospheric movements which would 

 otherwise occur. 



Instead of supposing that the atmosphere moves eastward because of 

 the earth's rotation, is it not more reasonable to suppose that the earth 

 continues its rotation eastward because the prevailing wind over a 

 great portion of the earth blows eastward? 



IfaYiatioTjs J-fom the average atmo<5yj^'h€Ti c 

 ^ressurcy ai Jh-rontoj Ontario j by hours pf the 

 day and night. Myaximujn ^ressuT'efOt f and 

 10 A' -^'y 'minimum at J^,P.yiU. 



It is a common view that the reason why the wind in the temperate 

 zones is eastward, is because the circumference of the earth there is 

 less than at the equator, and the eastward force of the wind in the 

 temperate zones is simply force derived from the rotation near the equa- 

 tor, the movement there being so much more rapid. The reasons why 

 I question the entire correctness of this view are: 



1. It does not account for the fact that at and near the equator the 

 upper atmosphere moves eastward at a rate faster than the earth, which 

 fact %H accounted for by my view that it is because of there being con- 

 stantly a segment of the earth in that zone where it is forenoon and 

 therefore an area of high pressure, and constantly eastward of that is 



