Storms of' the West Indies. 23 



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

 a north-easter. 



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

 and on the shores of Carolina, where the storm enters obliquely 

 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 will commence from an eastern or north- 

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

 easterly as the storm approaches its height. 



11. A full and just consideration of the facts which have 

 been stated, will show conclusively that the portion of the atmo- 

 sphere which composes for the time being the great body of the 

 storm, whirls or blows in a horizontal circuit, around a vertical or 

 somewhat inclined axis of rotation which is carried onward with 

 the storm ; that the course or direction of this circuit of rotation 

 is from right to left ; and that the storm operates in the same 

 manner, and exhibits the same general characteristics, as a 

 tornado or whirlwind of smaller dimensions ; the chief difference 

 being in the magnitude of the scale of operation *. This view 

 of the subject, when fully comprehended, affords a satisfactory 

 solution of the otherwise inexplicable phenomena of storms, and 

 will also be found to accord entirely with the fact, whi^ h has 

 been previously stated, that in the phases or changes which per- 

 tain to a storm, the wind, on one margin of its track, veers, in 

 seaman's phrase, with the sun, or from lefl to right, while under 

 the opposite margin of the same storm, it veers against the sun, 

 or from right to left, for this peculiarity necessarily attends the 

 progress of any whirlwind which operates horizontally. 



12. The barometer, whether in the higher or lower latitudes, 

 always sinks while under the first portion or moiety of the storm 

 on every part of its track, excepting, perhaps, its extreme 

 northern margin, and thus often affords us the earliest and 

 surest indication of the approaching tempest. The mercury in 

 the barometer always rises again during the passage of the last 

 portion of the gale, and commonly attains the maximum of its 

 elevation on the entire departure of the storm. 



" It is to be understood that the diameter of the whirlwind whidi consti- 

 tutes the storm, is commensurate with the width of the track over which the 

 biorm passes. 



