On the Courses of Hurricanes. 203 
he thinks he finds evidence of a northerly or variable course, in 
the Barbadoes hurricane of 26th July, 1837; and also of a varia- 
ble or northeastern course, in-the Antigua hurriganoiof August 2d, 
1837 ; or at least of a lateral movement or oscillation,.in the course 
ofchess hurricanes.* He also suggests that hurricanes may alter- 
nately dilate-and contract during their course 
The inquiries of Col. Reid, aided by his excellent charts and 
delineations; appear to have done much towards settling these 
questions, so far at Jeast as rélates to the particular storms referred 
to by your correspondent ; and it may be observed, that iri tracing 
the course or track of a storm, we must be governed by its regular 
geographical. developments or progress, rather than by any induc- 
tions from the directions and changes of the wind at a given place, 
grounded on the known whirlwind character of these storms. It 
is true that these imductions, if carefully made, will commonly 
harmonize, with wonderftil accuracy, with the actual course or 
path of the stornt ; but there are various sources of error, which 
may at times prihedil. us in our deductions, when made ftom a lim- 
- ited number of observations ; some of which eo be curso- 
rily noticed, - 
A. The reported Ghger tations are not always correct as to the 
point of compass from which the wind blows, and the changes ) 
which it exhibits, during the storm. This is not unfrequently the 
case with the reports of unpractised observers; or with observa- 
tions made in-the gloom of night; or in the tumultuous crisis of 
the hurricane, when the whole energies of the seaman are directed 
to-his more inimediate duties, and the preservation of his ship; 
and when in the darkness. and kotenpil of the storm, the swinging 
of the ship thav. sameti ken and reported for the irreg- 
ular veering of the wind. © Verbal or typographical errors, will also 
in the reports which are under conside- 
ition * and in some localities, an important difference between 
the magnetic and the true eo of direction, is ‘frequently con- 
founded, or unnoticed. 
~2. The inductions in andetinit are isttlly made on the theory 
of an ‘exact circle in the course of the winds, which: in large 
storms, and for practical purposes, is, in most cases, sufficiently 
accurate. But it sometimes frais that the higher portions of 
_ the storm, overrun be inferior rseak ‘and reach the surface in 
** See Nautical Magazine for cig. 1838, pp. 35—40. 
