THE LAW OF STORMS. 13 



nearly if not entirely, without exception, puffy, violent, 

 and blowing in gusts. 



3. An immense condensation of aqueous vapor, 

 forming large banks of cloud, which precipitate torrents 

 of rain. The condensation appears to be so exceed- 

 ingly rapid that large quantities of electricity are gen- 

 erally developed, giving rise to incessant flashes of 

 lightning. 



4. A general darkness and gloominess within the 

 area of the cyclone, relieved only by the fitful glare of 

 the lightning, or the appearance of the imperfect circle 

 of light near the center or axis of the storm. 



5. A separation of the clouds in or near the center 

 of the hurricane, so as to produce in the immediate 

 neighborhood of the axis a clear sky, through which 

 the sun and stars are often seen with great brilliancy. 



6. A calm in the center of the cyclone. 



INDICATIONS OF APPROACHING OR EXISTING HURRI- 

 CANES, MANIFESTED BY THE OCEAN, OF ESPECIAL 

 UTILITY TO VESSELS AT ANCHOR IN ROADSTEADS. 



1. A swell, produced by the storm-wave, rolling in 

 upon the shore, at first of a gentle character. The 

 direction of this swell will pretty surely indicate the 

 bearing of the storm, and its changes will point out in 

 some localities the course the hurricane may be pursu- 

 ing. 



2. A swell rolling in, without changing its direction, 

 may be regarded as indicative of a hurricane approach- 

 ing the shore. The same phenomenon met with at 

 sea (the ship's course being taken into accouAt) will 

 indicate the bearing down of the cyclone on the vessel. 



