THE AZOBES ISLANDS. 



571 



The following Table shows the mean duration of the Winds, in days, 

 from the results of ten years observations made by Thomas Carew Hunt, 

 Esq., at the English Consulate, St. Michael's, between January 1, 1840, 

 and December 31, 1849 : — 



In the earlier part of this work, in the section treating of the subject, 

 we have given descriptions of the general phenomena of the Winds and 

 Hurricanes of the North Atlantic Ocean, and the laws by which they 

 appear to be governed, as deduced from the numerous and careful ob- 

 servations which have been made at various times. In connection with 

 that system of aerial currents, and their perturbations, we have reserved 

 the consideration of that part of the subject which is connected with the 

 Azores and their vicinity. It will not be necessary to recapitulate any of 

 the principles or statements which have been before given, for which the 

 reader must refer to 170 and following pages, and to pages 217 — 259. 



Similar Hurricanes seem to be prevalent at the • Azores, and in some 

 measure to be governed by the same laws. The following observations on 

 this subject, also by T. C. Hunt, Esq., will be interesting : — 



" The regularity with which Gales enter these seas in the N.W. 

 quarter, and, after crossing them, disappear at the S.E., passing through 

 West and South, is a circumstance the knowledge of which may be highly 

 serviceable to commanders of ships. 



" The centre of a Gale, on its approach, always effects a descent in the 

 barometer, and a change in the fall of rain. In its actual passage over 

 the instrument, the descent generally reaches 28-60, from which a rise of 



