652 



EARLY MIGRATION 



contrary it is highly probable, that Chinese or J apanese Junks 

 were driven to the Sandwich Islands ; perhaps across to the 

 North American coast. 



Between the tropics in the Pacific an easterly trade wind is 

 found during more than half the year ; but it is not generally 

 known (except by readers of voyages) that from November to 

 March there is much west wind, rain, and occasional tempest, 

 between the vicinity of the equator, and about fifteen degrees 

 south. This westerly monsoon, for such in fact it is, some- 

 times is steadily regular, and at others interrupted by calms, 

 storms,* or heavy rains. The eastern limit to which it 

 usually reaches is about 110° W. long., but there is reason 

 to suppose, that it extends at times, irregularly, to the Gala- 

 pagos Islands, if not to the adjacent continent, when Guay- 

 aquil is suffering from heavy torrents of rain. While the sun 

 is far south, this westerly monsoon extends to the tropic of 

 Capricorn, between the meridians of 150° E. and 120° W. 

 longitude. At other times of the year the tropical regions of 

 the Pacific are refreshed by pleasant easterly winds, varying 

 in moderate strength, and in their direction from the north- 

 ward or southward of east. 



Beyond the region of tropical or trade winds, an almost con- 

 tinual succession of westerly winds is found to prevail. In those 

 middle latitudes easterly winds sometimes blow ; but their 

 amount is not more than one-fifth that of the west winds, 

 throughout the year. 



In the Southern Atlantic and Southern Indian ocean similar 

 winds prevail, between the parallels of 30° and 60°. In- 

 stances in profusion may be found in narratives of voyages, 

 where very small vessels, boats, or canoes, have made long 

 passages across an open ocean, or have passed months in 

 ignorance of their geographical situation, enduring the most 

 dreadful privations. In the event of a float, whether raft, 

 canoe, or rudely constructed vessel, being carried out of sight 



* During- these storms, which begin very suddenly, not only vessels 

 are driven out of their course, but birds, insects, and seeds are carried 

 to great distances. 



