156 OBSEEVATIONS ON THE WINDS. 



to expect that the air will move directly for the area of lowest pressure it 

 a part where the two Hemispheres meet." 



(79.) The Trade Winds are essentially evaporating winds. From their 

 high temperature, in passing over a large extent of ocean, they become 

 loaded with aqueous vapour, which becomes evident when they meet and 

 neutralize each other in this zone of Equatorial Calms. 



The result is the formation of the " Cloud Bing " of Captain Maury, 

 which he likens to the rings of Saturn or the belts of Jupiter. Under this 

 oppressive and constant companion of the Equatorial Calm, the rain falls 

 in torrents, and by the progress of the sun in the ecliptic it causes the 

 phenomena of the tropical seasons, divided, as is well known, into the wet 

 and dry. A consideration of the chart and the shifting of this belt will 

 explain how it is that some places have two rainy seasons and others only 

 one, by the passing of the cloud ring over them. 



" It is broader than the Belt of Calms out of which it arises. As the air 

 with its vapours rises up in this calm belt and ascends, these vapours are 

 condensed into clouds, and this condensation is followed by a turgid 

 intumescence, which causes the clouds to overflow the calm belt as it veers 

 Doth to the North and South. The air, flowing off in the same direction, 

 assumes the character of winds which foi-m the upper currents counter (8) 

 to the Trade Winds. These currents carry the clouds still farther to the 

 North and South, and thus make the cloud ring broader. At least, we 

 infer such to be the case, for the rains are found to extend out on to the 

 Trade Winds, and often to a considerable distance North and South of 

 the calm belt." 



This oppressive region, most tedious to navigators, is, however, not at 

 all times subject to this great amount of deposition, which has procured 

 for it the appellation of " The Bains ;" and especially during the winter 

 months, when its extent is more limited, it may be crossed without en- 

 countering either those torrents of rain, or almost unbearable calms. Thia 

 compensating belt to the evaporation of the Trades, of course, is subject 

 to squalls, and especially to thunder-storms, the natural result of the con- 

 flicting elements. Altogether, its effect on the health and spirits, its 

 enervating influences, its oppressive and damp heat, make it one of the 

 most unpleasant regions of the globe.* 



* Attention to personal cleanliness is very important during the detention caused by 

 these calms. Dampier gives a quaint description of the ill effects of his men not drying 

 their clothes and lying down on their hammocks while wet, which caused all to become 

 offensive and open to attacks of disease. Captain Maury says, "The emigrant ships from 

 Europe to Australia have to cross it. They are often baffled in it for two or three weeks; 

 then the children and passengers who are delicate in health suffer most. It i« a frightful 

 graveyard on the wayside to that golden land." 



