164 Phenomena of the Cuba Hurricane. 
been about thirty miles an hour; while in the case before us the 
rate, through perhaps twelve degrees of latitude, appears to have — 
exceeded forty-three miles an hour. 
The integral progression of the great storms of the lower at- 
mosphere may be viewed as affording data of great value for any 
investigations of the actual course of atmospheric circulation, or 
of the great planetary laws by which this circulation is chiefly 
maintained.* 
LateraL Diameter or THE Storm.—In determining the full 
diameter or breadth of the storm, across its path, it is somewhat 
difficult to mark an approximate limit of its action on either side 
of its axis, independently of any deficiency in the observations. 
Thus it might be questioned whether we should test its extent 
(1) by the observed prevalence of an active storm-wind, at the 
surface only,—or (2) by the entire extent of the conformable or 
vorticular winds at the.earth’s surface,—or (3) by the presence 
and observed movements of the lower stratum of storm-clouds, ~ 
as connected with the foregoing,—or (4) finally, by the more 
widely extended effects on the barometer. 
; e may conclude, however, that the broadest lateral extent over 
which the winds of this storm prevailed in observable strength 
at the surface, or in which the weather exhibited a stormy ap 
‘pearance, or effect, exceeded a diameter of nine hundred miles 
and perhaps equalled one thousand ; while the general breadth of 
the gale, as one of ordinary, as wel as extraordinary force, may 
be estimated as, at least, eiatil hundred miles.+ 
This last, if taken as the average width of the storm path and 
multiplied by the observed length of the latter, as before esti- 
mated, indicates an area of two millions and four hundred 
thousand square miles, which was swept over, with more or less 
violence, by this gale; an extent nearly three times greater than 
all the territory of the United States east of the re 
*It may be proper again to state, that the results of the author's inquiries 09 
the courses of winds, and their relations to temperature, in different regions, and 
at different elevations, have constrained him to relinquish the common theory that 
heat is the sole or main cause of wind, or progressive motion, in a planetary at- 
mosphere. 
He has been aware of the disadvantage in which this ayowal may tend to place 
vn. in ote minds of many votaries of science whose approbation it would be his 
pine: obtain. The erties r elucidation of this question, he conceives, Will 
