Mr. Redfield^s Reply to Dr. Hare. 301 



pass." The first of these conditions is verified by observation, 

 except as I have shown that the changes in a regular whirlwind 

 storm will not, in the true wind of the gale, be likely to exceed 

 sixteen points of the compass at any one station. It will be diffi- 

 cult, however, for Dr. Hare to show, that the regular changes in 

 a progressive whirlwind storm, as truly exhibited at any fixed 

 station, should run through every point of the compass ; although 

 this may sometimes happen to a ship moving in the storm. 



Dr. Hare does not appear to perceive, that the several condi- 

 tions above referred to, are for the most part, no more predicable 

 of the whirlwind storm, than of the affluent theory of storms 

 which he advocates. 



Dr. Hare states, that " the fact that during the same storm dif- 

 ferent vessels variously situated, are found to have the wind in 

 as many different directions, may be explained by the afflux of 

 winds from all quarters to a common focal area, as well as by sup- 

 posing them involved in a great whirlwind." This might be 

 true, as 1 have virtually stated elsewhere, provided that the di- 

 rection of the wind at such vessels was found, at a given time, 

 to be towards such a " focal area ;" which does not happen : the 

 observed differences of the winds from these centripetal direc- 

 tions being nearly equal to ninety degrees, (or a right angle,) 

 as has been repeatedly shown.* 



I have formerly stated that "I have observed in the effects of the 

 New Brunswick tornado, numerous facts which appear to demon- 

 strate the whirling character of this tornado, as well as the inward 

 tendency of the vortex at the surface of the ground."! But Dr. 

 Hare thinks, " that the survey of Bache and Espy shows that it 

 would be inconsistent with the facts to suppose such motion, un- 

 less as a contingent result." Now, without inquiring whether the 

 constant whirling action to which I alluded be a contingent or a 

 necessary result, it is proper to notice, that ihe great question be- 

 tween us is and has been, have storms a gyratory character 1 

 To me, the facts established by all the strict observations which 

 have been made and properly stated, proclaim the affirmative. 

 We shall probably find, on a strict examination, that even the 



* See this Journal, 25 : 116 ; 31 : 117-118 ; 35 : 210-215. Jour. Frank. Instit. 

 1839, p. 323-336, and p. 363-378. Dove in Poggendorff's Annalen, Jan. 1841. 

 pp. 10, 11, seq. 



t See this Journal, 35 : 207. 



