310 Mr Redfield's Observations on the 



American coast, these storms exhibit at their commencement a 

 southerly wind, which, as the storm comes over, veers gradual- 

 ly to the xvestzvard, in which quarter it is found to terminate. 



9. In the same latitudes, but along the central portions of 

 the track, the first force of the wind is from a point near to 

 soutli-east, but after blowing for a certain period, it changes 

 suddenly, and, usually after a short intermission, to a point 

 nearly or directly opposite to that from which it has previ- 

 ously been blowing, from which opposite quarter it blows with 

 equal violence till the storm has passed over, or has abat- 

 ed. This sudden change of a south-easterly wind to an oppo- 

 site direction, does not occur to7vards either margin of the storm's 

 track, but only on its more central portion, and takes effect in 

 regular progression along this central part of the route, from 

 the south-west towards the north-east, in an order of time, which 

 is exactly coincident with the progress of the storm in the same 

 direction. It is under this portion of the storm that we notice 

 the greatest fall of the barometer, and the mercury usually be- 

 gins to rise a short time previous to the change of wind. In 

 this part of the track, the storm is known as a south-easter, 

 and is usually attended with rain previous to the change of 

 wind, and perhaps for a short time after. 



10. On that portion of the track which is nearest the Ame- 

 rican coast, or which is farthest inland if the storm reaches the 

 continent, the wind commences from a more eastern or north- 

 eastern point of the horizon, and afterwards veers more or less 

 gradually by north, to a north-western or westerly quarter, where 

 it finally terminates. Here also the first part of the storm is 

 usuallv, but not always attended with rain, and its latter or 

 western portion with fair weather. The first or foul weather 

 portion of the storm, is, on this part of its track, recognised as 

 a north-easter. 



It should be noted, however, that near the latitude of 30°, 

 and on the shores of Carolina, where the storm enters oblique- 

 ly upon the coast, while its track is rapidly changing from a 

 northwardly to an eastwardly direction, the wind on the central 

 track of the storm Avill commence from an eastern or north- 

 eastern point of tlie compass, and will gradually become south- 

 easterly as the storm approaches its height. 



