TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION A. 595 



beautiful and distinctive mark of the approach of the equa- 

 torial wind, was developed probably by contact and difference 

 of temperature between the north-west wind and the ordinary 

 air lying over the plain. It lay really parallel to the range, 

 but assumed to us the arch form from the operation of a prin- 

 ciple of perspective. It altered its position, unless dissipated 

 altogether, as the wind veered round to the exhilarating 

 south-west, whence came the cold squalls which showed the 

 passage of the storm. North-west rains along the foot of the 

 hills, and particularly in certain spots, were then adverted to, 

 and other instances were given of fohn winds, corresponding 

 to our nor'-westers — particularly the chinook of North America. 

 Though very unpleasant, and occasionally disastrous, our nor'- 

 westers deserved more than a passing good word. Dry heat 

 was needful for ripening wheat and fruit. It also killed or 

 blew away the germs of disease, melted the snows on the 

 hills, &c. Most of the health resorts of the world were situated 

 under the protection of mountain-chains across which warm 

 winds blew ; and among the many circumstances to which 

 Canterbury owed that salubrity which accounted for its excel- 

 lent grain, its toothsome mutton, and the average fine physique 

 of its sons and daughters, not the least important, perhaps, was 

 the much-abused nor'-wester. 



