1840.] the Theory of the Law of Storms in, India. 105 1 



evidence we have is all on one side, and within a small arc of the cir- 

 cle. Hence we must say, that it appears to have been, while crossing 

 the Bay a vortex of about 260 miles in diameter ; and that it may have 

 been larger at its commencement and termination. The Coringa hur- 

 ricane of November 1839, is, I think, clearly enough evidence of a storm 

 contracting in size, and this may be one of a storm first contracting and 

 again expanding ? for as, in truth, we know so little of the laws which 

 govern these phenomena, all we can do, — all at least that I can venture 

 to do, — is to set down the evidence carefully, with such conclusions 

 as may strike us. Oar evidence, and our conclusions will all, I trust, be 

 weighed out and scrutinized by abler hands and heads. 



III. The rate of progression of the storm. 



From the centres laid down, this will be as follows : — 



27th April to the 2S th 175 miles 



28th to 29th 350 



29th to 30^^ 113 



SOtk to 1st May 175 



Of these we must perhaps exclude the centre of the 21th, for which 



we have but too little evidence. It is nevertheless possible, that as 



the track of the storm, if it was then completely formed, crosses the 



lofty hills of the Andamans (2500 feet high, says Hamilton) it 



experienced some sort of check from them on its progress ? It is a 



curious coincidence, that after laying down, as well as I could, the 



centre of the \st May, I found that I had given the storm 175 miles 



of distance from the centre of ZOth April, which is exactly what it 



appears to have made on this day when crossing the Andamans ! It 



was forcing its road over the Cuttack hills between the 2>0th and \st 



May, as over those of the Andamans, between the 27^^ and 28/^ 



April. The centre of the 28^;^ must be nearly correct, being so close to 



the Nusserath Shaw ; as well as that of the 29th, for which we have 



the able log and chart of Captain Smoult of the Freak ; and that of the 



30^^, which depends upon the position and shift of wind, an hour 



before noon, of La Belle Alliance, and at Pooree 7^ hours after 



noon, which do not admit of any great error. 



The four distances above stated, ) Miles ^ day, Miles ^ hour 

 give an average of ... ...J 203 or 8^ 



The last three distances give ... 213 or 9 



6 s 



