32 REVIEWS — CLIMATOLOGY Of THE UNITED STATES. 



continental features at some seasons, and decidedly tropical features at otberSj 

 and these influence the AVhole district similarly, -without showing any line of 

 separation." pp. 125, 126. 



One of the principal features alleged as belonging to this area, 

 as a wliole, is its adaptation to a great range of vegetable and animal 

 life ; another feature consists in this, that the whole area is in com- 

 munication as regards its atmospheric changes : any agency that 

 affects one point producing a corresponding though not necessarily a 

 simultaneous, or equal, or even similar change throughout the area. 

 In the words of the writer i 



"As an associated feature of the uniformity just alluded to, the changes of tern* 

 perature, and the oscillations of every sort, strike over the Eastern United States 

 as changes would over any plane surface ; that is they are symmetrical and uniform, 

 and kno-'yiug what they are at a few places we may easily infer wliat they have 

 been at all. Thus, if a degree of cold occurs at St. Louis on one day, and at 

 Philadelphia two days after-Wards, or at any interval whatever, we may be certain 

 that the whole intervening district has been similarly affected. So of a barome- 

 tric depression or variation, Or of a great storm, or of particularly severe winds. 

 Though the changes occurring in one part may not be felt at an opposite point, — 

 as, though it may be twenty degrees below the average temperature for any period 

 at Qiarleston, it may be as much above that mean at Albany or Montreal — the 

 conditions, whatever they are, affect the intervening districts symmetrically, and 

 are participated in at all places according to the distance from the extreme points. 

 This may be the case to some extent in other climates, or it may be so with some 

 of the great changes, but here it is characteristic of all, and it contrasts extremely 

 with the abrupt transitions, and the predominance of local changes in Southern 

 and Central Europe, and on the west side of this continent as far as known." 

 p. 129. 



This chapter abounds in matter for reflection, but as somewhat 

 copious extracts have been already made from it, we must commend 

 it to the study of those specially interested in the subject, and con- 

 tent ourselves by quoting one more passage in which the general 

 type of a storm is described. The description we leave to the expe- 

 rience, or to the future observation of our readers, to verify. 



"Beginning at the nortliwest, or near Fort Snelling, the general succession of 

 phenomena in the change from calm, average conditions, to the restoration of such 

 conditions again, is something near the following : first, an increase of temperature 

 with winds from the south, south-west or south east, of duration proportioned to 

 the measure of the change that is to occur, or of from one to four or five days ; a 

 fall of barometer ; a rain with east, north-east, or south-east winds during the first 

 half of its duration; a sudden change of wind to some westerly point with a rapid 

 reduction of temperature, high winds and a rising barometer ; and, in conclusion, 

 a period of comparatively cold and clear weather. The nucleus or central area of 

 this phenomenon, regarding it as a whole, or, as it may be done for illustration as 



