64 MYERS ON METKOROLOGY. 



the North Atlantic, and, in this Province, by a Avinter of unusual 

 severity. 



The stormsj which, in the autumn and early part of the winter, 

 swept with such destructive violence over the Atlantic, did not visit 

 Halifax, whose exemption during another year from any remarkably 

 stormy weather, tends to support the hypothesis of the late Judge 

 Stewart, that it is the centre of a storm circle. Another idea, 

 broached by the President at our last meeting, in connection with 

 Mr. Hurdis' paper on the recent storms on the English Coast, is 

 worthy of consideration, viz : " That tropical hurricanes take the 

 course of the Gulf stream, and, repelled from this coast by the cold 

 barrier caused by the Arctic cuiTent, pass to the eastward of 

 Halifax, and are thrown upon the western coasts of Europe." Yet 

 supposing this to be the case, it remains to be accounted for, why 

 gales, which prevail in many of the neighbouring countries, 

 approaching, in our own Province, as near as Truro and Windsor, so 

 seldom reach Halifax. It may be, that storms, travelling from the 

 south along the eastern coast of America, pursue their coui'se up 

 the Bay of Fundy, and, leaving Halifax to the eastward, pass on to 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; but all that can at present be said is 

 mere conjecture, nor are we expected to arrive at any satisfactory 

 solution of the many difficulties which surround a question of such 

 importance to our maritime and fishing interests, till stations shall 

 have been established in different parts of the country, from which 

 reliable reports of the course and strength of the winds at each 

 place may be received daily. Extracts from the log-books of ves- 

 sels,, which, on approaching this Port, encounter stormy weather, 

 would be of valuable assistance m the investigation of this interest- 

 ing subject. Let the cause, however, be what it may, there is the 

 fact, that Halifax is rarely visited by destructive storms. Its noble 

 harbour too affords a safe refuge from the tempests without, and an 

 easy access, at all seasons, to a country possessing a climate, as fine 

 and healthy as any in the world, Avith abundant resources, in its 

 minerals, fisheries, and agricultural capabilities, the development of 

 Avhich opens to the capitalist a productive field for operations, and 

 to the enterprizing and industrious of all classes, a fair prospect of 

 independence and jDrosperity. That Nova Scotia affords advantages 

 such as these, ought to be widely published abroad, for, once known. 



