of the United States and the West Indies. 117 
eastwardly direction, the wind on the central track of the storm will 
commence from an eastern or north-eastern point of the compass, and 
will gradually become ney as the storm approaches its 
height. 
11. A full and just consideration of the facts which have bene 
stated, will show conclusively that the portion of the atmosphere 
which composes for the time being the great body of the storm, 
whirls or blows in a horizontal circuit, around a vertical or some- 
what: inclined axis of rotation which is carried onward with the 
storm; that the course or direction of this circuit of rotation is 
from right to left; and that the storm operates in the same manner, 
and exhibits the same general characteristics, as a tornado or whirl- 
wind of stnaller dimensions; the chief difference being in the mag- 
nitude of the scale of operation.* This view of the subject, when 
fully comprehended, ‘affords a satisfactory solution of the otherwise 
inexplicable phenomena of storms; and will also be found to accord 
entirely with the fact, which has been previously stated, that in the 
phases or changes which pertain to a storm, the wind, on one mar- 
gin of its track, veers in seaman’s phrase with the sun, or from left 
to right, while under the opposite margin of the same storm it veers 
against the sun, or from right to left ; for this peculiarity necessarily 
attends the progress of any whirlwind which operates horizontally. 
12. The Barometer, whether in the higher or lower latitudes, al- 
ways sinks while under the first portion or moiety of the storm on 
every part of its track, excepting perhaps, its extreme northern mar- 
gin, and thus often affords us the earliest and surest indication of the 
approaching tempest. The mercury in the Barometer always rises 
again during the passage of the last portion of the gale, and com- 
monly attains the maximum of its élevation on the entire departure 
of the storm. 
The great value of the Barometer to navigators is becoming well 
understood, and its practical utility might be greatly increased by 
hourly entries of the precise height of the mercurial column in a ta- 
ble prepared for the purpose. Its movements unless carefully recor- 
ded, often escape notice or recollection; which may easily happen 
at shone times when a distinct knowledge of its latest variations —_ 
prove to be of the greatest importance. 
* Itis to be understood that the diameter of the whirlwind which constitutes the 
storm is commensurate with the width of the track over which the storm passes. 
