Atmospheric Currents observed In rounding Cape Horn, yi"} 



barometer will be found to indicate a greater atmospheric 

 pressure. 



For this reason vessels intending to round the Horn from 

 E. to W. usually keep frirther to tlie south than those sailing 

 in the opposite direction. On the other hand, during the 

 winter season of the southern hemisphere, the east wind 

 must blow more frequently at the Cape itself, in consequence 

 of the influence exercised by the zone of least atmospheric 

 pressure, and the weather be less likely to prove stormy. 

 And such is found in fact to be the case. 



Hitherto, with the exception of Cape Horn, so few observa- 

 tions have been made in high southern latitudes, that it is 

 impossible to arrive at any definite conclusion, important as 

 the subject is to science as well as in the interests of com- 

 merce, and which must exercise so much influence upon the 

 whole system of atmospheric changes over the entire surface 

 of the earth. To attain this object, an expedition consisting 

 of but one ship cannot suffice. It would be necessary to em- 

 ploy several, each provided with instruments carefully com- 

 pared, and which should sail simultaneously to the southern 

 waters at definite distances from each other, and at given 

 times make precisely similar observations and devote their 

 entire attention to investigating the laws which regulate this 

 puzzle to the scientific student. 



Under more favourable political auspices, a joint expedition 

 by the various naval powers would be the best means of 

 solving the problem, and a fleet of some ten or twelve ships 



