80 SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS. 



Effect of the winds on the weather. Hurricanes. 



heated, and absorb water very plentifully as they pass 

 over the ocean. 



SOS How does this account for the rainy character of south winds f 



As soon as they reach a cold climate they hecome 

 chilled, and can no longer hold all their vapor in sus- 

 pension ; in consequence of which some of it is deposited 

 as rain. 



SOG Why are dry winds in the spring montJis desirable and advan* 

 tageous for agricultural operations f 



They dry the soil saturated with the moisture ot 

 winter, 'break up the heavy clods, and fit the land for 

 the seed committed to it. 



SOT* Why is a fine clear day sometimes overcast in a few minutes ? 



Because some sudden change of temperature has 

 condensed the vapor of the air into clouds. 



SO 8 Why are clouds sometimes dissipated very suddenly ? 



Because some dry wind (blowing over the clouds) 

 imbibes their moisture, and carries it off in invisible 

 vapor. 



O9 Why does wind sometimes Iring rain, and sometimes fine weather f 



If the wind be colder than the clouds, it will condense 

 their vapor into rain / but if the wind is warmer than 

 the clouds, it will dissolve them and cause them to dis- 

 appear. 



510 What is a hurricane f 



The hurricane is a remarkable storm wind, peculiar 

 to certain portions of the world. It rarely takes its 

 rise beyond the tropics, and it is the only storm to 

 dread within the region of the trade-winds. 



511 How are hurricanes especially distinguished from other kinds of 

 tempests f 



By their extent, irresistible power, and the sudden 

 changes that occur in the direction of the wind. 



S1J3 Do any particular portions of the tropics appear to be especially 

 visited with hurricanes ? 



In the northern hemisphere, the hurricane most fre- 

 quently occurs in the regions of the West Indies ; in 



