236 OBSEEVATIONS ON THE WINDS. 



be experienced a wind blowing at an angle of eight points or more to it 

 (158). Thus, were the Cyclone really circular (which seldom or never 

 happens), under the North point of the horizon there will be an East 

 wind ; under the South point, a West wind ; and under the JEast point, a 

 South wind. So that, were the Storm stationary, a ship scudding round 

 the entire circle, from any given position, would experience the wind from 

 every point of the compass in regular succession ; but this can very rarely, 

 if ever, happen, on account of the progressive movement of the entire 

 meteor. 



As these Storms do not pursue a uniform velocity (226), the rate of their 

 actual progression can be arrived at only after they have ceased to act on 

 any two or more stationary spots, or upon two ships, by noting the exact 

 time each experienced the first shock of the Hurricane, and also the time 

 of its departure respectively. Some cause, or causes, operate to accelerate 

 the rate at one time, and retard it at another. 



It again becomes necessary here to observe that, although the general 

 course of the Hurricane in the West Indies has been found to be N.W. or 

 W.N.W., yet in two or three instances we have reason for believing that 

 either a deviation in particular parts of its course, or a vibration or oscilla- 

 tion of the entire meteor, has taken place. Any deviation, however, from 

 the general course pursued by these Storms can easily be detected, from 

 the veering of the wind ; as that ought to be regular, when the progressive 

 path of the Storm is regular, except at or near the vortex. For instance, 

 if the Hurricane commences at E.N.E., and the wind does not follow the 

 regular successive changes, as noted above, we may be assured that the 

 Storm is not pursuing a course to the N.W. ; and the true Hne of progres- 

 sion may be ascertained by the circle, so as to gain the corresponding 

 points of change to those which occur. 



(175.) Again, if the Storm commences at North, the wind ought to veer 

 (imder the same progressive direction of N.W.) to the N.W., West, and 

 end with it about W. by S. or W.S.W. But if, after the wind has got to 

 West, the Storm should end with it at South (as it did at Antigua, 1804), 

 we shall be assured that a deviation had taken place to the Westward in 

 the progression, or otherwise a vibration or oscillation to the Southward. 



The uncertainty of these aberrations should not deter the na\dgator from 

 placing confidence in the general remarks here given, as these (based on 

 Mr. Eedfield's theory) have been arrived at from experience, from facts 

 which are incontrovertible, and from a careful study of the subject ; and 

 besides, should these variations not happen, and to a certainty they do not 

 always occur (at least on the ocean), he may benefit by them ; whilst under 

 a case of their occurrence, no rules can possibly be given for his guidance ; 

 he must place his vessel in the best position his judgment points out, and 

 passively await the result. 



As the Storm progresses into higher latitudes, the line of progression 

 almost invariably changes to the North and N.E. (224), and then the 

 sequence of the shifts of wind would naturally be different to what they 

 are when the course of the Storm is W.N.W. or N.W., as will easily be 

 seen by a reference to the illustrative diagrams. 



We shall now endeavour to explain, in the plainest manner we can, the 



