loith reference to the Whirlwind Theory of Storms. 355 



come back to the same point of the compass from which it 

 had before blown, except by an extraneous force or influ> 

 ence, we shall in this be able to agree. He states further, 

 that " in the course of time it would be felt, at any station, to 

 proceed from many different directions, if not from every 

 point of the compass." The first of these conditions is verified 

 by observation, except as I have shown that the changes in a 

 regular whirlwind storm will not, in the true wind of the gale, 

 be likely to exceed sixteen points of the compass at any one 

 station. It will be difficult, however, for Dr. Hare to show, 

 that the regular changes in a progressive whirlwind storm, as 

 truly exhibited at any fixed station, should run through every 

 point of the compass; although this may sometimes happen 

 to a ship moving in the storm. 



Dr. Hare does not appear to perceive, that the several con- 

 ditions above referred to are for the most 'part no more pre- 

 dicate of the whirlwind storm than of the affluent theory of 

 storms which he advocates. 



Dr. Hare states (in the American Journal), that " the fact 

 that during the same storm different vessels variously situated 

 are found to have the wind in as many different directions, 

 may be explained by the afflux of winds from all quarters to 

 a common focal area, as well as by supposing them involved 

 in a great whirlwind." This might be true, as I have virtually 

 stated elsewhere, provided that the direction of the wind at 

 such vessels was found, at a given time, to be towards such a 

 " focal area," which does not hajipen ; the observed differences 

 of the winds from these centripetal directions being nearly 

 equal to ninety degrees, or a right angle, as has been re- 

 peatedly shown *. 



I have formerly stated, that " I have observed in the effects 

 of the New Brunswick tornado numerous facts which appear 

 to demonstrate the ivhirling character of this tornado, as well 

 as the itmard tendency of the vortex at the surface of the 

 ground t." But Dr. Hare thinks, " that the survey of Bache 

 and Espy shows tiiat it would not be consistent with the facts 

 to suppose such motion, unless contingently ; and that it could 

 only be a casual effect." Now, without inquiring whether the 

 constant whirling action to which I alluded be a contingent 

 or a necessary result, it is proper to notice, that the great 

 question between us is and has been, have storms a gyratory 



• See Silliman's Journal, xxv. 116; xxxi. 117-118; xxxv. 210-215; 

 xlii. 112-119. Journ. Frank. Instit. 18:i9, p. 32.'J-.*53(), and p. 363-378. 

 Dove in Popgcntlorfl's .hma/eti, Jan. 1841, pp. 10, 11 seq. ; also this 

 Journal for January 1811, p. 17-19, and map. 



t See Silliman's Journal, xxxv. 207. Nautical Magazine, Jan. 1839, p. 6. 

 2 B2 



