On the prevailing Storms of the Atlantic Coast. 49 



which corresponds sufficiently with the usual diameter of the lesser 

 storms, and also with the probable breadth, in latitude, of that por- 

 tion of the trade which, in the stormy season, is subject to this influ- 

 ence. Now the immediate effect of the rotative motion in this mass, 

 will be to induce, in some degree, a counter gyration in the diurnal 

 mass which next succeeds itj and which has not yet become subject 

 to the original rotative influence. The previous tendency, thus im- 

 parted, will enable the second diurnal mass to pursue its course along 

 the islands on the following day, in a comparatively quiescent state, 

 which is induced by these contrary influences. But not so with the 

 third diurnal succession of atmosphere, which, previous to its arrival, 

 has perhaps already felt the influence of the counter movement of 

 the second mass, somewhat in the manner in which toothed wheels, 

 by their external contact, communicate motion to each other ; and 

 this diurnal mass, thus predisposed, may receive the gyrating impulse 

 with more facility than either of the two which have preceded it. 

 By parity of reasoning, the fourth day would witness the passage of 

 a comparatively undisturbed atmospheric current, while on the fifth 

 day an increased disposition to gyration would again occur, and so 

 alternately, on the succeeding days. These successive diurnal in- 

 fluences, though subject to all the collateral influences which may 

 chance to attend them, may notwithstanding, be supposed to produce 

 some discernable effects, and, in the usually regular progress of these 

 winds towards the continent, and afterwards in the general direction 

 of the coast, these diurnal effects might be supposed distinguishable 

 at a great distance from their original source. 



It may happen at some seasons, that the causes which produce 

 the revolving impulsion, operate upon a still larger portion of the at- 

 mosphere, equal, we will suppose, to the space occupied in the ad- 

 vance of two days, and some also of three days, as seems to be :he 

 case with some extensive storms or hurricanes. Now in most of 

 these cases, whether in periods of one, two, or three days' dura- 

 tion, their termination will coincide at the end of the sixth day.* On 

 the seventh day, therefore, a renewal of the original revolving influ- 

 ence, may again be expected to occur. Whatever may be thought 



* At St. Augustine, in Florida, where the storms from the vicinity of the islands 

 frequently appear, it is said that a storm which continues more than one day, will 

 last three days ; and this peculiarity, parhaps, continues to be observable till the 

 storm has advanced a much greater distance along the coast, but with less exactitude 

 in proportion to the distance from the place of its origin. 



Vol. XX.— No. 1. 7 



