in various Substances. 465 



erroneous opinion, for these winds are in general much 

 colder than the snow itself. 



They retain their coldness because the snow prevents 

 them from being warmed at the expence of the earth ; 

 and this is a striking proof of the use of the snows in 

 preserving the Heat of the earth during the winter in 

 cold latitudes. 



It is remarkable that these winds seldom blow from 

 the poles directly towards the equator, but from the 

 land towards the sea. Upon the eastern coast of North 

 America the cold winds come from the northwest; but 

 upon the western coast of Europe they blow from the 

 northeast. 



That they should blow towards those parts where they 

 can most easily acquire the Heat they are in search of, 

 is not extraordinary ; and that they should gradually 

 cease and die away, upon being warmed by a contact with 

 the waters of the ocean, is likewise agreeable to the na- 

 ture and causes of their motion ; and if I might be al- 

 lowed a conjecture respecting the principal use of the 

 seas, or the reason why the proportion of water upon the 

 surface of our globe is so great, compared to that of 

 the land, it is to maintain a more equal temperature in 

 the different climates, by heating or cooling the winds 

 which at certain periods blow from the great continents. 



That cold winds actually grow much milder upon 

 passing over the sea, and that hot winds are refreshed by 

 a contact with its waters, is very certain ; and it is 

 equally certain that the winds from the ocean are, in all 

 climates, much more temperate than those which blow 

 from the land. 



In the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, there is 

 not the least doubt but the great mildness of the climate 



