§ 545. THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 295 



to their channels in the grand system of circulation, for the most 

 part, as dry winds. Moreover, it is not to be supposed that the 

 channels through which the winds blow that cross the equator 

 at the several places named are as sharply defined in nature as the 

 lines suggested, or as Plate YII. would represent them to be. 



545. The whole region of the extra-tropical Old World that is 

 Their situation, and includcd withiu the raugcs marked is the region 

 winds. ^ which has most land to windward of it in the south- 



ern hemisphere. Now it is a curious coincidence^ at least, that all 

 the great extra-tropical deserts of the earth, with those regions in 

 Europe and Asia which have the least amount of precipitation 

 upon them, should lie within this range. That they are situated 

 under the lee of the southern continents, and have but little rain, 

 may be a coincidence, I admit ; but that these deserts of the Old 

 World are placed where they are is no coincidence — no accident : 

 they are placed where they are, and as they are, by design ; and 

 in being so placed, it was intended that they should subserve 

 some grand purpose in the terrestrial economy. Let us see, 

 therefore, if w^e can discover any other marks of that design — any 

 of the purposes to be subserved by such an arrangement — and 

 trace any connection between that arrangement and the supposi- 

 tion which I maintain as to the place where the winds that blow 

 over these regions derive their vapors. It will be remarked at 

 once that all the inland seas of Asia, and all those of Europe ex- 

 cept the semi-fresh- water gulfs of the north, are within this range. 

 The Persian Gulf and the Eed Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black, 

 and the Caspian, all fall within it. And why are they planted 

 there? Why are they arranged to the northeast and southwest 

 under this lee, and in the very direction in which theory makes 

 this breadth of thirsty winds to prevail ? Clearly and obviously, 

 one of the purposes in the divina economy was, that they might 

 replenish with vapor the winds that are almost vaporless when 

 they arrive at these regions in the general system of circulation. 

 And why should these winds be almost vaporless? They are al- 

 most vaporless because their route, in the general system of circu- 

 lation, is such, that they are not brought into contact with a water- 

 surface from which the needful supplies of vapor are to be had ; or, 

 being obtained, the supphes have since been taken away by the cool 

 tops of mountain ranges over which these winds have had to pass. 



