OF PNEUMATICS. 201 



periodical winds, called monsoons, which in the Indian 

 seas blow half a year one way, and the other half ano- 

 ther. 3. Those winds which on the coast of Guinea, 

 and on the western coasts of America, blow always 

 from west to east. 4. The sea-breezes, which, in hot 

 countries, blow generally from sea to laud, in the day- 

 time ; and the land-breezes, which blow in the night ; 

 and, in short, all those storms, hurricanes, whirlwinds, 

 and irregularities, which happen at different times and 

 places.* 4 



Note 54. Our Author has here omitted the Sirocco, 



" Whose widely wasting breath 

 The very cypress dooms to death." 



The blast of this pestilential air is represented as resembling burning 

 steam from the mouth of an oven : the whole atmosphere, during its con- 

 tinuance, seems to be in a flame. Its effect is described by Brydone like 

 that of one of the subterranean sweating stoves at Naples ; but it was 

 much hotter. In a few minutes, those who are exposed to it find every 

 fibre relaxed in a most inconceivable manner, and the pores opened to 

 such a degree, that they expect immediately to be thrown into a most 

 profuse sweat At this time the thermometer, which stood in a room 

 only at 73, rose immediately in the open air to 110, and soon after to 112. 

 The air was thick and heavy, but the barometer was little affected, having 

 fallen only about a line. The sun did not appear during the whole 

 day ; otherwise the heat, says Mr. Brydone, must have been insupport- 

 able ; and on that side that was exposed to the wind, it could not be 

 borne without difficulty for a few minutes. Upon exposing pomatum to 

 it, the heat of the wind melted it as if it had been laid before the fire. 

 This wind is more or less violent, and of longer or shorter duration at 

 different times ; however, k seldom lasts more than 36 or 40 hours, so 

 that the walls of the houses are not warmed throughout, or else it is ap- 

 prehended that it would be insupportable. Whilst it lasts, the people 

 of the country confine themselves within ; their windows and doors are 

 shut close, to prevent the external air from entering ; and where window- 

 shutters are wanting, they hang up wet blankets on the inside of the 

 window. The servants are constantly employed in sprinkling water 

 through all the apartments, in order to preserve the air in as temperate a 

 state as possible ; and for this purpose, each house in the city of Palermo 

 is provided with a fountain. By these means the people of fashion suffer 

 very little from this wind, except the strict confinement to which it 

 obliges them. Notwithstanding the scorching heat of the sirocco, it has 

 never been known to produce any epidemical disorders, or to do any 



