130 On the Gales and Hurricanes of the Western Atlantic. 



but I do not intend, Mr. Editor, to weary the patience of your read- 

 ers with a more prolonged chapter on the natural history of hurri- 

 canes, or to deprive the savans of their prerogative to dispose of our 

 facts in such a manner as may seem best to accord with their favor- 

 ite theories. Besides, our business at this time is rather with the facts 

 themselves, than with their relations in a correct system of meteorolo- 

 gy. It may be remarked however, that unless the writer has greatly 

 mistaken the mass of evidence presented to his notice during the pro- 

 gress of his inquiries, these phenomena, as also the general winds in 

 which they occur, are to be ascribed mainly to the mechanical gravita- 

 tion of the atmosphere, as connected with the rotative and orbital move- 

 ments of the earth's surface. But should any one, after an unbias- 

 sed and full consideration of the great facts which are now before us, 

 and of their bearing as illustrative of the physics of the atmosphere, 

 seriously ascribe them either to lunary, cometary, electric, or volcanic 

 influence, or even to calorific agency in any just and proper sense, 

 then the writer can only say, that he finds himself unable to explain 

 these, and certain other phenomena of the atmosphere, upon such 

 principles, and that he desires to concede all the honor of theorizing 

 to those who may imagine that such relations can be established. 

 It would promise better, however, to inquire whether we have not 

 in these developments, a clue to the true system of atmospheric 

 physics, a subject which has always been beset with difficulties, and 

 to explain which we have hitherto obtained nothing better than plaus- 

 ible hypotheses. — In regard to the fall of the barometer, which at- 

 tends these storms throughout their progress, its rationale is deemed 

 to be so obvious as hardly to admit of question. 



In conclusion, I will venture to hope that the facts and considera- 

 tions now presented may prove, in some degree, useful to the nauti- 

 cal profession, and promotive also, of the general interests of science. 

 At the same time it is hoped, that in future notices and reports of 

 violent storms, more attention will be given to specific dates and lo- 

 cation, and also to the direction and changes of the wind, all which 

 may be expressed in the most summary manner ; and the facts when 

 once recorded, are forever available, in tracing the progress and char- 

 acter of such storms. It seems desirable also, that the general route 

 and character of European storms, should be investigated by those 

 whose local position, and means of information, best qualify them 

 for the task. The writer of this communication is but scantily fur- 

 nished with materials for this object, and would gladly see the work 

 accomplished by other and abler hands. 



