154 ON AUSTRALIAN STORMS, 



disturbance, it was found, that storm phenomena, barometric and 

 otherwise, did not remain stationary on the spot where they 

 originated, but gradually shifted eastward. A storm, for instance, 

 which originated in the Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland, 

 would be found to cross over Ireland and England, towards the 

 North Sea. It was in fact discovered, that the atmosphere of the 

 north temperate zone had a slow circulation eastward, carrying 

 with it its disturbances, just as the tidal current of a river carries 

 with it, the eddies that are formed in it. The general direction, 

 and velocity, of this grand circulation, and the modifications 

 which they undergo from various circumstances, having been 

 satisfactorily ascertained from numerous systematic observations, 

 the electric telegraph furnished the means of carrying out the 

 great principle into practice. The consequence now is, that 

 forecasts of weather are daily telegraphed to all parts of the 

 British coasts from one to three days in advance, such forecasts 

 being drawn from previous states of weather, reported to the 

 central office also by telegraph. Suggestions have been thrown 

 out from time to time in our daily papers, as to the advisability 

 of establishing in these colonies the system above described. 

 But I think it would be premature, to attempt its introduction 

 here, until the meteorological observations, already available 

 have at least been systematically and carefully discussed as 

 were those which furnished the principle on which the daily 

 forecasts of Admiral Fitzroy are founded. I believe it has always 

 been assumed, that the atmospheric disturbances affecting these 

 colonies, have an eastward tendency, as in the north temperate 

 zone, but at the same time, beyond the tracing of a few isolated 

 gales, nothing has been done by comparison of observations, 

 to show, that as a general rule, our gales and storms are so 

 translated. The observations already available are sufficient to 

 show roughly their general direction and average velocity. But 

 in order to trace them out with all desirable accuracy, together 

 with the modifications which they undergo from the influence 

 of the physical geography of the colonies, we require observations 

 more numerous and extended than those made at present. It 

 is here we feel the great want, which is not experienced in 

 the mother country, of a large corps of amateur observers, to 



