WINDS. 



079 



part of the coast, but always directed towards the heated area. This 

 is what is called the Northeasterly Monsoon, which begins in Septem- 

 ber, and continues till February. 



When the sun is returning to the north, the wind veers back 

 again through the several rhombs of the compass, and becomes settled 

 along the whole coast, from east-by-north to east-southeast ; still 

 blowing towards the heated areas, they flow in almost the same 

 direction with the Southeast Trades, for which they are often mis- 

 taken. 



In the immediate vicinity of the land of South America, there are 

 also land and sea breezes. It is remarkable, when these coincide 

 with the direction of the Monsoons, the latter are increased in 

 strength, and the land wind which ensues after the sea breeze is also 

 much stronger. It may be as well here to call attention to the fact, 

 that the winds which flow into the large rarefied areas of South 

 America, may be said to be constant, although they vary very much 

 in strength and direction ; unlike other areas, the land is never cooled 

 below ocean temperature, so as to produce a return current from the 

 land to the sea. 



These heated areas are supplied from the north and south, as well 

 as from the east. The high mountain range near the Pacific coast, 

 like those of Asia, intercepts the current of air from the east, until it 

 rises over their barrier. 



.Next in importance are the Monsoons on the west coast of Mexico. 

 The duration of the Northern Monsoon is from the month of December 

 to May. The currents of air are from the north and northwest, nearly 

 parallel with the coast. They seek the heated waters of the Gulf and 

 Bay of Panama. During its prevalence, fine weather is experienced ; 

 whence this season, although the winter of the northern hemisphere, 

 has been denominated the summer of these regions. In the offing, 

 they blow with more strength and steadiness than near the land. 



When the sun advances to northern declination, heating the land 

 of North America, from the month of May to September, the currents 

 of air are from the south and southwest. These are the stormy 

 months, attended with great explosions of electricity, and copious and 

 constant precipitation, which is produced and evolved by evaporation 

 and condensation. This causes great irregularity in these currents of 

 air, from the colder temperature being in such close proximity to the 

 heated waters of the ocean. Squalls and tempests prevail, which 



