14 ACTION OF THE ORBITAL TIDE 



of detail which does not concern us at present, 

 excepting in as far as the importance of the tidal forces 

 which we have been considering is showti by the 

 relative number of storms which occur in each hemi- 

 sphere at the periods at which these tidal forces come 

 into conflict. 



From Alexander Keith Johnston's Physical Atlas 

 we extract the table placed on the opposite page, 

 giving a list of recorded storms in different parts of 

 the world ; from which it will be seen that the occur- 

 rence of these storms, in each hemisphere, shows a 

 marked accordance with the periods of conflict which 

 we have above deduced from theory. The coincidence 

 of the stormy periods, as shown by this table, in each 

 hemisphere, with the periods of conflict which we have 

 described, appears clearly to show the effects and the 

 importance of the annual tide. These stormy periods 

 are phenomena which should manifestly result from 

 the action of such a tide, and, remaining hitherto un- 

 accounted for, they have found a place in the records 

 of ascertained facts. 



175. If, however, there were no counteracting forces 

 in play, then the periods of conflict should be precisely 

 the same each year; for the turning point of the 

 annual tide, if not interfered with by other forces, 

 would always occur exactly at each of the equinoxes. 

 As also the solar tides, if not interfered with by 

 other forces, would commence to diverge from the 

 equator at each of the equinoxes, and commence to 



