0$ WINDS. [Lesson xvir. 



are called, blow uniformly from east to west, all the 

 year round, with a small variation in the different 

 seasons. 2. When the sun is on the equator, the 

 Trade-winds in sailing northward, veer more and 

 more from the east towards the north; so that about 

 their limit they become nearly north-east: and vice 

 versa in sailing southward, they become at last 

 nearly south-east. 3. When the sun is near the 

 Tropic of Cancer, the Trade-winds north of the 

 equator, become more nearly east than at other 

 times, and those south of the equator more nearly 

 south ; and vice versa, when the sun is near the 

 Tropic of Capricorn. 4. The Trade- winds are 

 not due east upon the equator, but about four de- 

 grees to the north of it. 



To account for these facts relative to the winds is 

 a most curious and important, though mysterious 

 inquiry ; having employed the pens of several very 

 eminent philosophers : but amongst all the expla- 

 nations I have seen, there is none in my opinion 

 more agreeable to nature than one given by Mr. 

 John Dallon, of Manchester, in his " Meteoro- 

 logical Observations and Essays." The method of 

 reasoning applied to the subject in that work, I 

 shall here adopt. 



The inequality of heat in the different climates 

 and places, and the earth's rotation on its axis, 

 appear to be the principal causes of all winds, re- 

 gular and irregular. It may be observed, that 

 whenever the heat is greatest, there the air will 

 ascend, and a supply of colder air will be received 



from 



