130 On the Gales and Hurricanes of the Western Atlantic. 
but I do not intend, Mr. Editor, to weary the patience of your read- 
ers with a more prolonged chapter on the natural history of hurri- 
canes, or to deprive the savans of their prerogative to dispose of our 
facts in such a manner as may seem best to accord with their favor- 
ite theories.. Besides, our business at this time is rather with the facts 
themselves, than with their relations in a correct system of meteorolo- 
gy. It may be remarked however, that unless the writer has greatly 
mistaken the mass of evidence presented to his notice during the pro- 
gress of his inquiries, these phenomena, as also the general winds in 
which they etna are to be ascribed malty to the mechanical gravita- 
tion of t ted with the rotative and orbital move- 
ments of the earth’s surhice: But should any one, after an unbias- 
sed and full consideration of the great facts which are now before.us, 
and of their bearing as illustrative of the physics of the atmosphere, 
seriously ascribe them either to lunary, cometary, electric, or volcanic 
influence, or even to calorific agency in any just and proper sense, 
then the writer can only say, that he finds himself unable to explain 
these, and certain other phenomena of the atmosphere, upon such 
principles, and that he desires to concede all the honor of theorizing 
to those who may imagine that such relations can be established. 
It would promise better, however; to inquire whether we have not 
in these developments, a clue to the true system of atmospheric 
physics, a subject which has always been beset with difficulties, and 
to explain which we have hitherto obtained nothing better than plaus- 
ible hypotheses.—In regard to the fall of the barometer, which at- 
tends these storms throughout their progress, its rationale is deemed 
to be so obvious as hardly to admit of question. 
In conclusion, I will venture to hope that the facts and considera- 
tions now presented may prove, in some degree, useful to the nauti- 
cal profession, and promotive also, of the general interests of sciences 
At the same time it is hoped, that in future notices and reports of 
violent storms, more attention will be given to specific dates and lo- 
cation, and also to the direction and changes of the wind, all which 
may be expressed in the most summary manner ; and the facts when 
once recorded, are for ever ay ailable, in tracing the progress and char- 
acter of such storms. It seems desirable also, that the general route 
and character of European storms, should be investigated by those 
whose local position, and means of information, best qualify them 
for the task. The writer of this communication is but scantily fur- 
nished with materials for this object, and would gladly see the 
accomplished by other and abler hands. 
