On the prevailing Storms of the Atlantic Const. 29 



in order to blow from the south-east, the center of the storm, (if its 

 progress be north-eastward) must pass near the point or parallel from 

 which we observe it, the direction of the ivind being, in all cases, 

 compounded of both the rotative and progressive velocities of the 

 storm., in the mean ratio of these velocities ; while towards the north- 

 ern and western margin of the same storm the wind is north-easterly. 

 Such south-east storms, their central portions being on, or near, the 

 land, must necessarily be circumscribed in their influence by the 

 obstructions and elevations of the interior, and particularly by the 

 mountainous ranges. Being thus confined or limited in their dimen- 

 sions, they of course extend only to a corresponding distance on the 

 opposite semi-diameter to seaward, and this furnishes the reason why 

 the south-east storms experienced on land, are never known to ex- 

 tend, at sea, to any great distance from the coast. The narrow di- 

 mensions of the south-east storm also favor its more rapid impulsion 

 by the prevailing southerly current of atmosphere, and this sufficient- 

 ly accounts for its comparatively short duration. 



It results also from these views, that if a starm blow from the north- 

 east along our coast, its central portion, or axis, will be found to range 

 at a considerable distance from the coast, at sea. If such a storm be 

 also felt over a considerable portion of the country adjacent to the 

 coast, its dimensions must be far more considerable than those of the 

 south-east storm, and if in addition to its increased dimensions, it be 

 found to advance with less rapidity than the smaller storm, its increas- 

 ed duration will be sufficiently explained. 



The generally admitted progress of our storms from soifth-west to 

 north-east is confirmed by all the evidence which the writer has been 

 able to obtain. It has been freely assumed also in these remarks, 

 from what was deemed to be sufficient evidence, that most storms, if 

 not all, exhibit in a greater or less degree a circumrotative character, 

 or in other words, that they usually blow in the form of extensive ed- 

 dies or whirlwinds, and the specific character of the north-east and 

 south-east storms of our coast, and their points of difference has been 

 explained upon these principles. Should the evidence produced be 

 deemed insufficient to establish these views, further confirmation may 

 be obtained for them by ascertaining the direction of the wind in- an 

 easterly storm, on a line drawn across itstrack from north-west to , 

 south-east. The farther inland such an 'enquiry is extended, the ' 

 more northerly will have been the direction of the wind, till we get 

 beyond the extreme verge of the storm. On the other hand, as we 



