214 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



Britain, during the continuance of which there are very rarely any east 

 wincis. There is also this peculiarity about them, that they seldom' 

 give warning of their approach by any fall in the barometer ; indeed, 

 it often shows a pressure above the mean just before they commence. 

 The wind springs up from the southwest, and blows as a broad stream 

 over the whole island, and in almost all these storms an upper current 

 prevails from the northwest, which descends before the termination of 

 the disturbance, and at once brings cold and dry weather. This par- 

 ticular form of atmospheric disturbance occurs at all seasons of the 

 year, sometimes as a very gentle breeze, and often as storms of the 

 most violent character. The changes of the wind are from southwest 

 to northwest, crossing due west at once, and at this time blowing with 

 their greatest violence. But our limits forbid us to enter further into 

 this subject. 



In the course of these lectures it has been my wish to state as clearly 

 and distinctly as possible the general principles on which nearly all 

 meteorologists are agreed, and to avoid, as far as might be, the discus- 

 sions of points m reference to which there is less harmony of opinion. 

 I have been anxious to place before you what I consider to be the dis- 

 tinctive features of the storms of North America and of Europe. I am 

 quite aware that the topic would have furnished materials for a much 

 greater number of lectures, but a mere outline was all that could be 

 properly attempted in the time allotted. I have presented the phe- 

 nomena in the connexion in which they now represent themselves to 

 my mind. I may, however, have reason to modify my present views 

 of American storms when I have found leisure to arrange and discuss 

 more thoroughly the ample materials I have collected in my tour. But, 

 whatever may be the change in this respect, I shall always retain a 

 lively and constant impression of the kindness, the hospitalit}^ and the 

 liberality which I have every where met with in my travels through this- 

 favored land. 



