THE EARTH. 23b 



south latitude, this wind is found to be lost, and the great gene- 

 ral trade-wind from the east is perceived to prevail. On the 

 contrary, at Cochin, in China, the west wind begins in March ; 

 so that these monsoons prevail, at different seasons, throughout 

 the Indies. So that the mariner takes one part of the year to go 

 from Java to the JMoluccas ; another from Cochin to Molucca ; 

 aiiotlier from Molucca to China ; and still another to direct him 

 from Cliina to Japan. 



There are winds also that may be considered as peculiar to 

 certain coasts ; for example, the south wind is almost constant 

 upon the coasts of Chili and Peru ; western winds almost con- 

 stantly prevail on the coast of Terra Magellanica, and in the 

 environs of the Straits le Maire. On the coasts of Malabar, 

 north and north-west winds prevail continually ; along the 

 coast of Guinea, the north-west wind is also very frequent ; 

 and, at a distance from the coasts, the north-east is always found 

 prevailing. From the beginning of November to the end of 

 December, a west wind prevails on the coasts of Japan ; and, 

 during the whole winter, no ships can leave the port of Cochin, 

 on account of the impetuosity of the winds that set upon the 

 coast. These blow with such vehemence, that the ports are 

 entirely choked up with sand, and even boats are not able to 

 enter. However, the east winds that prevail for the other half 

 of the year, clear the mouths of their harbours from the accu- 

 mulations of the preceding winter, and set the confined ships 

 at liberty. At the straits of Babelmandel, there is a south 

 wind that periodically returns, and which is always followed by 

 a north-east. 



Besides winds thus peculiar to certain coasts, there are others 

 found to prevail on all the coasts, in warm climates, which dur- 

 ing one part of the day, blow from the shore, and during an- 

 other part of it blow from the sea. The sea-breeze, in those 

 countries, as Dampier observes, commonly rises in the morning 

 abuut nine, proceeding slowly in a fine small black curl, upon 

 the surface of the water, and making its way to refresh the 

 shove. It is gentle at first, but increases gradually till twelve, 

 then insensibly sinks away, and is totally hushed at five. Upon 

 Us ceasing, the land-breeze begins to take its turn, which in- 

 creases gradually till twelve at night, and is succeeded in the morning 

 by the sea-breeze again. Without all doubt, nothing could be 



