74 CUEKENTS AND TYPHOONS. 



prevail during their passage along the coast. This 

 may be easily understood by pushing an indiarubber 

 ring, lying flat on the table, against any stationary 

 object. The part which comes in contact is no longer 

 round, but flattened out. The Kii perinsula, which 

 drops down alone and unprotected into the ocean, feels 

 the effects of these storms more than other parts. The 

 centres frequently pass close to the south point, and 

 sometimes over it. Enormous blocks of rock are 

 moved to new resting-places; lanes are cut in the 

 woods as if by a scythe ; cliffs give way and disappear 

 into the deep water ; mouths of rivers are entirely 

 changed, besides villages wrecked and valleys inun- 

 dated. 1 have seen all this after the passage of one 

 of these storms, and it was as wonderful, in showing 

 the extraordiuary force of wind and water combined, 

 as it was pitiable in the way of destruction and misery 

 brought on the inhabitants. 



The body of the storm, I have said, passes to the 

 north-east, or with the Kuro Siwo; but the wind 

 prevails from the eastward (until the centre of the 

 typhoon has passed), or exactly against the course of 

 the current. The result of two such strong forces 

 meeting is a horribly confused sea, alike trying to man 

 and ship. 



