REVIEWS — GALES IN THE ATLANTIC. 281 



diagrams are given in illustration of their peculiarities of occurrence. 

 In the publication now under notice, this subject is still further 

 elaborated ; and we are presented with a chart of the North and 

 South Atlantic Oceans, for each month of the year, shewing by an 

 ingenious arrangement of colours, the comparative frequency of 

 gales, over given areas, in the different months. Three facts are 

 brought strikingly before us by an inspection of these gale-charts. 

 First, the marked preponderance of stormy weather generally in the 

 North, as contrasted with the South Atlantic, at least for the winter 

 months ; secondly, the scarcity of gales between the parallels of 30° 

 north and south ; and thirdly, the remarkable difference between the 

 frequency of gales in the winter, as compared with the summer 

 months, over that region of the North Atlantic lying more especially 

 in the track of ocean travel between the United States and Europe. 

 "Whilst in the October, November, December, January, February, 

 March, and April charts, an extended and unbroken line of colour 

 stretches from the British Isles to the Atlantic sea-board of the States 

 only varying somewhat in intensity and breadth — in the June, July, 

 and August charts, merely a few limited patches meet the eye. In 

 his brief explanation of these charts, Lieutenant Mauiw states that 

 they were principally worked out with a view to ascertain the most 

 tranquil and favorable time for laying the sub-Atlantic telegraph. 

 This time, and necessarily also the most favorable season for passen- 

 ger travel across the Atlantic, he shews to be about the end of July,, 

 or the beginning of August. ' c At no season of the year," writes 

 Lieutenant Maury, " can the passage around either of the ' Stormy 

 Capes,' a3 poets call them, vie for storms with the winter passage 

 between England and America." And again, " this part of the 

 ocean is most tranquil in summer. Taking averages, we have in it 

 fewer gales but more fogs and ice in June than in July or August ; 

 but fewer fogs and least ice in August. The last of July and first of 

 August appears to be the most favorable time for laying the sub- 

 Atlantic telegraph. This information may be useful to invalids and 

 others crossing the Atlantic, as well as to those engaged in this 

 enterprize." 



Although these gale-charts are intended to be considered in the 

 light of approximations merely, some idea may be formed of the care 

 bestowed on their compilation, when we state that they embody the 

 results of no less than 265,292 days of observations. 



E. J. C. 



VOL. II. — T 



