LOCAL CLIMATE OF SOUTHPORT. 29 



The above general remarks upon the circumstances which 

 modify all climates, and upon the local peculiarities of 

 Southport, must be borne in mind in proceeding to consider 

 the claims which this place possesses as a resort for invalids. 

 Sharing, as it does, with the most favoured health resorts, the 

 advantages derived from immediate proximity to the sea, it 

 has certain well-marked and more immediately local advan- 

 tages, which few other places possess in an equal degree. 



Foremost amongst these must be placed its open sea 

 aspect, yet well-sheltered position on the coast. It has all 

 the advantages enjoyed by other neighbouring watering-places, 

 without the exposure to bleak and piercing winds incident 

 to some towns on the north-west coast. East and north-east 

 winds are usually limited to the months of April and May. 

 The tide receding a considerable distance leaves a large 

 expanse of sand to be heated by the sun, which has the effect of 

 warming the sea-breeze passing over it, giving to Southport, 

 that of which few, if any, other watering-places can boast, 

 viz., a bracing sea atmosphere, and yet, one thoroughly dry. 

 Whether the air immediately in contact with the sand, while 

 parting with its moisture, does not not take up some of the 

 peculiar constituents only found in sea water, or whether a 

 stratum of dry air passing over an extended sandy surface, at 

 a high velocity, has not its force of electrical tension highly 

 increased and condensed, are questions worthy of considera- 

 tion. Both have been adduced as explanatory of the peculiar 

 sanitary effects of Southport in some diseases. 



In addition to the abundance of ordinary oxygen in the 

 atmosphere, there is in the Southport air another form of the 



