and with the coast, forming the longer axis of each of the 

 islands above named. 



The prevailing winds of the coast, except in January and 

 December, come from the northwest, and form such a reliable 

 meteorological feature as to be called " The Summer trade 

 Winds." Back of the Coast Ranges of Mountains these winds 

 are scarcely perceptible, except where there is a depression in 

 the highlands upon the coast, where the sea breeze rushes in 

 to fill the partial vacuum caused by the rising of the heated 

 air of the valleys. In these instances the portion of the wind- 

 force deflected from its general direction, follows up the line of 

 the main valley and its tributaries, its force being rapidly 

 diminished as it recedes from the main current. 



These deflections are apparent at the Golden Gate ; the 

 Pajaro and Salinas rivers ; the Santa Ynez and Santa Clara 

 Valleys, and various other points north and south. 



At Point Conception the mountains extend to the eoa^t and 

 if the depression forming the Channel were ;i hen fed valley it 

 would draw a large portion of the current of cold, f<>«--Iaden 

 wind to replace its over-heated atmosphere The coed tem- 

 perate, sea-filled Channel offering no such condition's the 

 wind continues its course, without obstruction across the 

 mouth of the Channel, a small portion only being deflected in 

 an easterly direction. This follows the Santa Barbara ( 'hannel 

 with rapidly decreasing force, and long before it reaches Santa 

 Barbara it is represented by a gentle westerly bree/e of which 

 sailing vessels take advantage in making their runs to and fro 



