122 Facts in Meteorology. 
Art. XVI.—Summary Statements of some of the leading Faets in 
Meteorology ; by W. C. Reprierp. 
To the Editor of the American Journal of Science. : 
Dear Sir.—In the observations on the storms of the West Indies, 
and the coast of the United States, which I have lately furnished for 
the American Coast Pilot, you will find a condensed and more expli- 
cit statement of the result of the investigations which were the sub- 
ject of my former article on the storms of the American coast,* than 
that article presents. 
Tn the attempt to ascertain and describe the physical characteris- 
tics of these tempests, I have been under the influence of no precon- 
ceived opinions, or theories, except such as commonly prevail among 
the reading public. My sole object has been to arrive at truth. Nor 
did 1 contemplate, until a late period in the inquiry, the task of pla- 
cing these results before the public. However imperfectly this task 
has been executed, a sufficient apology for attempting it may, perhaps, 
be found, in the almost total absence of information on this subject, 
in books of science ; as may be seen by referring to the articles, Hur- 
RIcANE, &c. in the best Encyclopedias. Dr. Franklin has indeed 
elicited the fact, that some storms on this coast approach from the 
south-west, while exhibiting the wind in a contrary direction, and this 
for a long period seems to have been the extent of our knowledge. 
To the same philosopher we were first indebted for proofs of the 
identity of whirlwinds with waterspouts. The labors of an able co- 
temporary, (Professor Mitchell,) appear also to be entitled to respect- 
ful notice, so far, at least, as they relate to the physical character of 
thunder storms. 
It is with some hesitation, that I send you 1 the following paragraphs 
from the forthcoming American edition of a little compendium, which 
is entitled, “4 Million of Facts ;” the meteorological portion of 
which, has fallen under my supervision. Some of the statements in 
these paragraphse now appear for the first time in a distinct form, al- 
though sufficient evidence for their support, may be found recorded. 
They comprise but a part of that range of investigation which seems 
necessary to be pursued, in order to place meteorology upon a just 
footing among the sciences. 
* Journal of Science, Vol. xx.—also, Vol. xxi. p. 191—193. 
