MONSOONS. 



369 



graphic method of engraved squares for a farther discussion of 

 these figures, it appears by the subjoined Diagram B, that in 



February the north-east and south-west winds are in equal con- 

 flict between the parallels of 20° and 22° ; that in March the 

 former have been " backed down" (§ 684) as far as the parallel 

 of 16°-15° — the medial line between them from which each 

 monsoon is blowing — and where, again, the conflict of " back to 

 back" is equally divided as to time of mastery (12 days) on: 

 either side. By the month of June they (the south-west) have • 

 fairly gained the ascendanc}'-, and so remain masters of the field' 

 until October, when the bi-annual conflict is again commenced 

 at the north. The vanquished north-east trades now lead oif iu 

 the attack, and, as the DiagTam C shows, the two combatants 

 have force enough about the parallel of 1 5° north to blow during 

 this month 9 da3^s each. The conflict, instead of being " back to 

 back," is now face to face ; instead of blowing away from the 

 medial line, they blow towards it ; instead of being a place of 

 high, the medial line is now (§ 657) a place of low barometer. 

 By November the north-east monsoon has pushed the jilace of 

 equal contest as far down as the parallel of 5'^ north. 



2 13 



