1843.] Colonel Reid on Winds. 1107 



The east wind which sets in at the commencement of a revolving 

 gale, may veer either by the north or by the soutb, according as a ship 

 may be situated in the right or the left hand side of a progressive whirl- 

 wind ; but the westerly wind of high latitudes will neutralize the effect 

 of this east wind, when it does not blow hard, so that it may sometimes 

 produce a calm. 



For example, if the wind's force in a whirlwind be represented by 

 the number 4, and the force of the general atmospheric current of air 

 blowing at the same time, be also represented by the number 4, the east 

 wind in the whirlwind will be balanced by the general west wind pre- 

 vailing beyond the limits of the whirlwind ; but on the opposite side of 

 the whirlwind, the wind's force will be doubled, so that it may be equal 

 in strength to a gale. This is supposed to be the explanation of west- 

 erly gales in high latitudes blowing harder than easterly ones. 



A ship's best course from England to Bermuda therefore, may 

 neither be by the straight course, nor yet one by the trade winds, but 

 it may sometimes be in a curved direction to the northward. 



The principle of taking advantage of the changes of revolving 

 winds, by sailing free on curved lines, is applicable to high latitudes, in 

 both hemispheres, when ships are sailing westerly. W. R. 



Government House, Bermuda, 

 11th May, 1842. 



Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 



Wednesday Evening, the 6th December, 1843. 



The usual Monthly Meeting was held at the Society's Rooms, on Wednesday 

 Evening the 6th instant. 



H. Torrens, Esq. Vice President in the chair. 



The following new Members proposed at the last Meeting, were balloted for and 

 declared duly elected: — 



Lieutenant Hickey, 1st N. I. and Willis Earle, Esq. 



Associate Member. 

 The Rev. W. J. Lone. 



