OF WEST COAST OF EUROPE. 235 



With regard especially to the northern hemisphere, 

 which is most inhabited, it is clear that in every 

 part of it where northerly (north, north-east, and 

 north-west,) winds, taking the average of the year, 

 generally prevail, the mean temperature must be 

 lowered, and that, on the contrary, in countries 

 where the south wind is most prevalent, the mean 

 temperature must be found higher, than could result 

 from the direct influence of the sun's rays alone. 



That the countries forming the western borders 

 of Europe and of Xorth America have generally 

 a higher mean temperature than is found on the 

 east coasts of North America and of Asia, is a result 

 of the prevailing south-west wind, which carries 

 the warmth of the sea over the neighbouring coast- 

 lands. 



The coasts of Europe are especially favoured in 

 this respect by the comparatively high temperature, 

 which the Atlantic has even up to the Arctic Circle. 

 The variations of the warmth of the sea during the 

 course of the year being but small, all these coun- 

 tries must share the pecidiarities of the sea climate. 

 The winters are milder, the summers less hot, and 

 the fall of moisture from the air more plentiful 

 than in the inland parts, and on the eastern coasts 

 of the continent. 



The air winch rises from over the sea, in the 

 hottest zone of the earth, is fully charged with 

 moisture. During its progress northwards, its 



