122 Facts in Meteorology. 



Art, XVI. — Summary Statements of some of the leading Facts in 

 Meteorology ; by W. C. Redfield. 



To the Editor of the American Journal of Science. 



Dear Sir. — ^In the observations on the storms of the West Indiesy 

 and the coast of the United States, which I have lately furnished for 

 the American Coast Pilot, you will find a condensed and more expli- 

 cit statement of the result of the investigations which were the sub- 

 ject of my former article on the storms of the American coast,* than 

 that article presents. 



In the attempt to ascertain and describe the physical characteris- 

 tics of these tempests, 1 have been under the influence of no precon- 

 ceived opinions, or theories, except such as commonly prevail among 

 the reading public. My sole object has been to arrive at truth. Nor 

 did I contemplate, until a late period in the inquiry, the task of pla- 

 cing these results before the public. However imperfectly this task 

 has been executed, a sufficient apology for attempting it may, perhaps, 

 be found, in the almost total absence of information on this subject, 

 in books of science ; as may be seen by referring to the articles, Hur- 

 ricane, Stc. in the best Encyclopaedias. Dr. Franklin has indeed 

 elicited the fact, that some storms on this coast approach from the 

 south-west, while exhibiting the wind in a contrary direction, and this 

 for a long period seems to have been the extent of our knowledge. 



To the same philosopher we were first indebted for proofs of the 

 identity of whirlwinds with waterspouts. The labors of an able co^ 

 temporary, (Professor Mitchell,) appear also to be entitled to respect- 

 ful notice, so far, at least, as they relate to the physical character of 

 thunder storms. 



It is with some hesitation, that I send you the following paragraphs 

 from the forthcoming American edition of a little compendium, which 

 is entitled, " .^ Million of Fads f the meteorological portion of 

 which, has fallen under my supervision. Some of the statements in 

 these paragraphs now appear for the first time in a distinct fortn, al- 

 though sufficient evidence for their support, may be found recorded. 

 They comprise but a part of that range of investigation which seems 

 necessary to be pursued, in order to place meteorology upon a just 

 footing among the sciences. 



* Journal of Science, Vol xx. — also, Vol. xxL p. 191 — 198k 



