THE EEASOK WHY. 153 



1 He stoui blow upon them and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take 

 them away as stubble." ISAIAH XL. 



and the south-west monsoon from the end of April to the middle 

 of October. The region of moonsoons lies a little to the north of 

 the northern border of the trade wind, and they blow with the 

 greatest force, and with most regularity, between the eastern coast 

 of Africa and Hindustan. 



674. What determines the character of icinds ? 



The character of winds is influenced by the condition of the 

 surfaces o^er which they How. Winds blowing over dry and arid 

 plains and deserts are dry and hot. Winds blowing across snow- 

 capped mountains and regions of ice are cold. Winds that cross 

 oceans are wet ; and those that cross extensive continents are dry. 



675. What icinds are most prevalent in England ? 



In England out of a thousand days, north winds prevail in 82 ; 

 north-east, 111 ; east, 99 ; south-east, 81 ; south, 111 ; south-west, 

 225 ; west, 171 ; north-west, 120. 



676. What is the cause of 'storms ? 



Storms result from violent commotions of the atmosphere, and 

 are chiefly the result of extreme changes of temperature. 



The magnetic state of the earth, and the electrical state of the 

 atmosphere, also materially influence the phenomena of storms. 



By some persons the theory is entertained that storms result from 

 various winds rushing into a centre in which the atmosphere has 

 become extremely condensed. According to this theory, a storm is 

 a mighty whirlwind. 



A most violent hurricane occurred in 1780, which destroyed Lord Rodney's 

 fleet, and a vast number of merchant ships. It is said to have killed 9,000 

 persons in Martinique alone, and 6,000 in St. Lucia. The town of St. Pierre in 

 Martinique was totally destroyed ; and only fourteen houses in the town of 

 Kingston, in St. Vincent, were left uninjured. 



677. WJiy do the most violent storms occur in and near 

 the tropics ? 



Because there the temperature is very high, and the cold currents 

 of air rushing towards the equator from the poles, causes great 

 atmospheric disturbance 



678. What are whirlwinds ? 



7* . 



