The Law of Storms. 211 
trated by the report of the “‘ Victoria,” quoted above) is of inter- 
est in this connection. If I have succeeded in this, and thereby 
given a clearer idea to the casual reader or suggested a fertile 
train of thought to any physicist, I shall feel more than repaid 
for the effort. 
I have thus attempted little more than to touch upon the prac- 
tical side of this great question, and this in a popular way, to 
induce my readers to follow me to the erd. The many other 
interesting questions that might be raised and discussed must 
here be left untouched. Our efforts in the Hydrographic Office 
must be primarily to help the navigator, and only secondarily to 
try to collect and publish facts for the scientist to study at his 
leisure. The causes of these terrific storms are of interest to us 
as they may help us to predict their coming, rather than for the 
proof of any theory, or the gratification of any pet idea. And if 
Science will but improve the Law of Storms, as practical men 
use it for the guidance of their vessels and the safety of the lives 
and cargoes intrusted to their care, it will be one more welcome 
proof that theory and practice go hand in hand. 
