Objections to Mr. Redfield’s Theory of Storms. Al 
tornado; but I think that the survey of Bache and Espy, shows 
that it would be inconsistent with the facts to suppose such a mo- 
tion, unless as a contingent result, and that it could only be a cas- 
ual effect of the currents rushing towards the axis of the tornado. 
3. Being of opinion that calorific expansion is inadequate to 
explain the afflux of wind towards the equator, the same author 
alleges that “the space previously occupied by the atmosphere, so 
left behind is by the centrifugal action of the earth’s rotation, con- 
stantly supplied from higher latitudes.”’ 
A. I presume that the meaning of this allegation is, that the cen- 
trifagal force communicated to the air at the equator by the di- 
urnal revolution of the earth, lessening the gravity of the air thus” 
affected, causes it to rise and give place to those portions of the 
atmosphere, which existing where the diameter of the earth is 
less, have less rotary motion. Admitting an afflux to arise in this 
way, could it have any other effect than that of accumulating air 
over the equator, compensating by quantity and altitude for the 
loss of weight arising from a greater centrifugal force pertaining | 
to that region? But on the other hand, if we attribute the ascent 
of the air at the equator to heat, the theory of exlorifte circulation 
will account for the continuance of the process. - 
ascribing the prevalence of westerly winds in the upper 
— of the meiner al to = deflection of the trade winds by 
Samay 
winds, in the Gulf of Mexico, is productive of the Gulf Stream, is 
it not reasonable that there should be an aerial accumulation and 
current, corresponding with that of the aqueous current which is 
designated by the name above mentioned? But not perceiving 
that the trade winds cannot be explained without the agency of 
temperature, Mr. Redfield, in the following paragraph, rejects the 
influence of heat. 
-» 6. “ To me it appears that the causes of the great storms may 
Se considered to indicate with entire certainty the great law of cir- 
culation in our atmosphere, and that the long cherished theory, 
which is founded on calorific rarefaction, must give place toa 
more natural system of winds and storms, founded mainly upon 
more simple conditions of the great laws of gravitation.” 
mo acer eenamiaen poss cans as well as others, that Mr. _ 
edfield considers gr d by heat or electricity, — 
