152 PREVAILING WINDS. 
and so retaining its heat from the air in summer 
(though in winter it would for the same reason 
increase the cold) ; by the ground being pretty much 
overshadowed by trees, which keep off heat greatly 
in summer, and retain moisture ; by the very fre- 
quent rains and clouds obscuring the sun in summer, 
whereby the atmosphere has time to cool down; 
by the constant occurrence of nightly vapours, 
which have the same effect during the heat of sum- 
mer ; by the humid particles continually wafted to 
us by the prevailing winds before named; by the 
number of our hills which intercepting the winds in 
their course obviate their asperity ; and by the 
occasional intervention of winds from the opposite 
quarters (namely Dartmoor) during summer, or of 
unaccountable cold occurring even with the former, 
and not during the cold season. 
South-west and west winds are then the most 
common, and they not only blow almost unremit- 
tingly from the end of October to Christmas and 
the beginning of January, but they even most com- 
monly prevail at other seasons also.* They convey 
* South-west and west winds may be said to occupy nine months 
of the year, the first however is the commoner of the two, since 
westerly winds last but for short intervals at a time, while south- 
wests often blow for long periods. The occurrence of winds in 
South Devon may be stated as follows in the order of their fre- 
quency ;—south-west,—west,—north-west,—south,—south-east,— 
east,—north-east,—north. 
During that period of the year wherein south-west winds mostly 
prevail, should an interval occur of north, or north-west blasts, 
clouds are often after awhile seen to rise from the former direc- 
tion, by which it must be naturally inferred, that far outwards in 
the Channel the wind has again reverted to the old quarter, and 
gradually strengthening will soon dissipate that blowing over 
land ; hence, the rustic on viewing these rising clouds assures us 
that before the lapse of twelve hours the wind will be again 
seaward and bring renewed wet. 
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