I J 4 on philosophical geography. Feb,l% 



The regioi: of constant winds extends on each side 

 the equator, somewhat beyond the tropics. The li- 

 rrats of these winds, however, cannot be exactly de- 

 fined, not only because they extend a little farther 

 during the summer than the winter months, but also 

 because the strength of the constant winds gradually 

 declines as you approach to their utmost boundaries, so 

 that the variable winds sometimes encroach a little on 

 the usual region of the trade winds, and sometimes 

 these last prevail ovfcr the former for a time. In ge- 

 neral, the trade winds are found to prevail only in 

 low latitudes, within the 30th degree, on both sides 

 the equator ; all beyond which latitude may be con- 

 sidered as the region of variable winds. 



But though the winds may be called steady, and cer- 

 tain within the tropics, they are by no means immut- 

 able. In certain regions they fliift at stated periods, 

 and in others they are susceptible of peculiar deflec- 

 tions, while in other parts of these regions they con- 

 tinue immutably the same. Philosophers have disr 

 tinguiflied these various winds by different names. 

 Wlierever they are immutable they have been called, 

 in Englifh, the general trade winds. Those which 

 fli.ift regularly twice a year, have been called trade 

 winds also, from the uses that are made of them, but 

 they are more particularly denominated monsoons. The 

 other regular variable winds within the tropics being 

 of a more local nature, have each obtained a particu- 

 lar name in those regions where they particularly pre- 

 vail. It is proposed for the present' only to take no- 

 tice of the two first. 



