76 BEPORT— 1891. 



folin. They have similar origin to ours, but an independent 

 one. As to whether we are in the hne or path of the cyclone 

 or not — apart from barometrical indications — the winds and 

 clouds, especially cirrus and cirro-stratus, if we could perfectly 

 interpret them, would be an infallible sign. 



(1.) When we are in the line of the storm — e.g., the anti- 

 cyclone being to the north-east — cirrus clouds would be over 

 the north-west and parallel to the horizon. 



(2.) When we are north-east of the line of the storm, the 

 bank of cirro-stratus is visible on the west or west-south-west 

 horizon, and the upper current is south-west. The bank 

 spreads, and a north-west wind springs up beneath ; the 

 clouds above are cirro-cumulus, not cirro-stratus. 



(3.) When the depression is to the east or left of us, the 

 cirro-stratus bank is north-north-west ; the sky thickens ; the 

 south-east wind freshens ; the upper wind is north-east. If 

 there be rain, it is cold and continuous ; the sky clears 

 slowly ; the barometer rises, and stratus clouds come into 

 view. 



(4.) If we are in the rear of the cyclone, wdiich has already 

 passed to the south-east, the clouds are frequently cumulus ; 

 there will be a few upper threads of cirrus stretching from 

 north-east to south-west ; south-west winds with showers 

 will come, and there will be the same wind to the highest 

 regions. 



Some such rules as these — which I have adopted from Ley 

 — will show us how we are situated with regard to the cyclonic 

 centre. The diagnosis of our " nor' westers" almost invariably 

 brings them under rules (2) and (4). But, of course, full and 

 detailed synoptic charts — if we could obtain them in New 

 Zealand — would be a far more certain criterion as to the point 

 in question than clouds and winds. When the anticyclone is 

 not to north-east but to east of us, and depression going south, 

 — or west of us, and depression going north-east, — similar rules 

 will apply ; the system of points, however, being moved, in 

 the first case, 4 points back, or, in the second case, 8 points 

 forward. 



To understand the development and character of our north- 

 west gales in New Zealand we cannot do better than study 

 closely the nature of the south-west storms of Great Britain, 

 under the guidance of such meteorologists as Ley, Abercrombie, 

 and Scott. The British sou'wester is the counterpart of the 

 New Zealand nor'wester. But the fomier is accompanied 

 usually, and almost everywhere, by heavy rains, because of 

 the absence of a huge mountain-chain athwart its path ; 

 whereas the latter is so accompanied only along the west 

 coast of New Zealand. The requisite changes in the direction 

 of wind, &c.,for the Northern Hemisphere being made, we see, 



