266 On Bust Whirlwinds and Cyclones. [No. 3. 



The looped side of a Cyclone, is the one to be avoided ; for it is in 

 this portion of the storm, that the chief danger lies from the vortex 

 and recurving of the storm, and the violent squalls and tumultuous 

 seas. It is a question of the utmost importance to determine its par- 

 ticular position at any given time, as a knowledge of that would indi- 

 cate the track of the storm, just as the track would shew the position 

 of the loops, as may be observed in the diagram of Storm tracks for 

 the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, Plate 1 1 . 



The Cyclone Compass, is adapted for both Hemispheres ; for by 

 removing the magnet and reversing the wind-point disk, and winding 

 the thread round the cylinder in a contrary direction, as before ex- 

 plained, the change from one to the other Hemisphere is effected at 



once. 



The peculiar curve of the Storm as delineated by the Cyclone Com- 

 pass, together with certain unvarying indications of the approach of 

 the dangerous vortex, such as a falling Barometer, rapidly veering 

 wind, fierce squalls, cross seas, &c, may, to one acquainted with navi- 

 gation, and the science of the Law of Storms, suggest rules, by which 

 the exact position of the danger may at all times be determined and 

 avoided. 



A Hurricane, I have reason to believe from investigations into the 

 nature of Dust Storms, is caused by a mass of Electro-magnetic rota- 

 ting spirals, descending from the sky to the earth, and in conformity 

 with a general spiral motion of its own, sweeping a Cyclonal course on 

 the earth's surface, usually in some track. 



The body of such a storm is, I conceive, made up of a band of 

 cylindrical beams or spirals moving with the storm, either singly, or 

 in fasciculi, composing zones of all sizes, whirling their Cycloidal 

 courses, while every separate beam or spiral rotates independently as 

 it goes along. 



The passage of the electrical spiral through the air, sets it in motion, 

 and causes a wind to blow in the direction of its track, with more or 

 less velocity ; depending, seemingly, upon the rapidity of the passage 

 and the tension of the electrical spiral itself. 



These spirals are I believe the exciting cause of wind in all storms, 

 and of the gusts or squalls in particular— and of wind generally during 

 the day time, in Tropical climates. 





