31 



the observations of Captain Eoss, wliich no doubt had refer- 

 ence more especially to prevailing currents of oceanic winds 

 in higher latitudes. 



At Auckland the prevailing currents of wind are S.W., the 

 next N.E. The N.W. and S.E. winds, which are by far the 

 most frequent at Hobart Town, are considerably the least at 

 Auckland. The E. and N.E. winds at the Cape of Good 

 Hope are all but oiil ; at Auckland they are a maximum, and 

 Hobart Town a minimum. The S. and S.E. winds at the 

 Cape of Good Hope are greatly in excess of any other ; and 

 at Auckland they are recorded the least of any, being for 

 many months without a single register. It is stated by sea- 

 faring men that hot-air currents are frequently fallen in with 

 on the East Coast of Now Zealand, from which it is inferred 

 that warm vapor may arise from the difference in the tem- 

 .perature of the water, in parts of the surrounding ocean, 

 caused by volcanic action which is well known to be actively 

 going on in and near these islands. This may in some degree 

 account for the frec[uency of the North East currents at 

 Auckland, as compared with the other stations lying in or 

 near the same parallel of latitude. 



It is now admitted, that next to the existence of matter, 

 heat is the most important element in creation. Since the 

 introduction into modern science of thermodynamics, by which 

 heat is considered as a mode of motion, the measure of it. 

 Under any circumstances, is the first step from statics to 

 dynamics, which now rank as the last and truest form of all 

 science. No system of meteorology would therefore be com- 

 plete without a reference to heat, and its power to alter the 

 direction, force, and dimensions of all bodies. 



Mankind, although long engaged in the investigation of the 

 subject, — and having all the appliances of modern science to 

 aid them, — have not, as yet, been able to establish any general 

 law, whereby those interested in the pursuit, and situated at 

 different stations, are enabled either to foretell or confirm each 

 other's observations. The subject is one of great capability, 

 and the local circumstances connected with it are so numerous, 

 that long continued labour is rec[uired before the important 

 question of general meteorology can be settled. 



It is therefore much to be desired that the owners, masters, 

 or agents of ships, would furnish the Eoyal Society, or the 

 Marine Board, with copies of their logs, which could be made 

 available to persons engaged in the investigation of this very 

 interesting and important subject. 



