1842.] A Sixth Memoir on the Law of Storms in India. 719 



ed to the S. E., they will all be seen as it were to start from near the 

 yet active volcanic centre of Barren Island ! and some of the old storms 

 which I have traced, certainly do the same. Again, if we look at 

 Mr. Redfield's chart of the West India hurricanes, we shall find 

 them also mostly beginning about the volcanic Leeward Islands. The 

 neighbourhood of Bourbon and Mauritius, and the Timor Sea, where 

 hurricanes seem very prevalent, are all instances of this sort of relation, 

 whatever it may be, if it really exists. 



CONCLUSION. 



Authors are not allowed to speak of the merits of their works, but 

 I know of no rule which prevents them from pointing out their faults. 

 I would notice here then, that one fault at least of this Memoir is in- 

 completeness of information. For this I am not responsible, * for I have 

 assuredly spared no pains to render it as complete as possible; but the 

 seaman and the man of science, and every friend to humanity, will I 

 hope not fail to see and to point out, from what has been here accom- 

 plished with imperfect data, how much more might be done by more 

 accurate and detailed accounts, and the continued publication of them. 

 It cannot be too often repeated, and therefore I again repeat it here, 

 that we are yet in the infancy of our researches ; that valuable as are the 

 practical uses to which they have been turned, we know not yet to 

 what greater results they may lead us ; and that, moreover, no one can 

 know what the value of any apparently insignificant instance or fact 

 relative to storms may be, which he may have it in his power to com- 

 municate. 



* To cite one instance (for those acquainted with the HydTographical History of the 

 China Seas, must think it strange that I have not referred more frequently to the logs 

 of the H. C. Survey Vessels, which for at least ten or twelve years were employed 

 there.) I must state that though three or four applications were made to a party 

 who must be in possession of the logs of one of theee vessels, not even a reply was ever 

 received ! 



