Additional Objections to RedJieWs Theory of Storms. 123 



axis, but on the contrary exists only in consequence of a momen- 

 tum previously acquired, the consequent velocity in any part of 

 the mass affected, will be less in proportion to its proximity to the 

 axis : also that the only case in which it can increase with its 

 proximity, is where the mass is fluid and it proceeds from some 

 competent cause acting at the axis. 



39. In representing that the upward force of tornadoes is the 

 effect of a vortical or gyratory action,* when it must be quite 

 plain that a '■'■ vorticaV^ action or whirling motion instead of caus- 

 ing the air upon the terrestrial surface, necessarily subjected by 

 it to a centrifugal force, to seek the centre, would induce that 

 portion of the atmosphere which should be above the sphere of 

 the gyration, to descend into the central space rarefied by the 

 centrifugal force. 



40. In admitting the gyration, which he considers as the cause 

 of storms, to quicken as it approaches the axis of motion, without 

 perceiving that this characteristic is irreconcilable with his infer- 

 ence that gyration caused by forces acting remotely from the axis 

 is the proximate cause of all the phenomena in question. 



41. In the last number of the American Journal of Science, 

 (for April, 1842,) Mr. Redfield has hinted that the pains which 

 I have taken to confute his doctrines, are disproportioned to the 

 low estimation in which I have professed to hold them. I should 

 be glad if this view of the subject should render my strictures 

 agreeable to him ; and am sincerely sorry that, consistently with 

 truth, I cannot directly take a course more favorable to his mete- 

 orological reputation. I admit that his essays have met with an 

 attention which may have justified him in pluming himself on 

 their success. Had it been otherwise, I should not have thought 

 it worth while to enter the lists. It strikes me, however, that a 

 fault now prevails which is the opposite of that which Bacon has 

 been applauded for correcting. Instead of the extreme of enter- 

 taining plausible theories having no adequate foundation in ob- 

 servation or experiment, some men of science of the present 

 time are prone to lend a favorable ear to any hypothesis, however 

 in itself absurd, provided it be associated with observatiojis. But 

 to proceed with the "reply," so called, the author alleges that in 

 the absence of ^' reliable facts and observations^' in support of my 



* See paragraph 75 of this communication. 



