32 



On the land loinds of Coromandel . [Jan. 



point out. its defects, and suggest remedies for their correc- 

 tion, in that way exerting a wholesome control over the pro- 

 ceedings of the managing committee alike beneficial to ajl 

 parties, by the confidence which publicity establishes between 

 the representative and represented bodies. These are- all 

 objects of the first importance to the well-being of the insti- 

 tution, but scarcely attainable from the ephemeral existence 

 of newspaper reports which are usually barely read, perhaps 

 scarcely glanced over and thrown aside to be no more thought 

 of as if they had only been published to fill a corner of the 

 paper, or intended to kill the passing hour. But were it 

 otherwise, it rarely happens that newspapers can find room 

 for reports so full and comprehensive as to stamp them with a 

 permanent value in a scientific point of view, both of which 

 objects might be attained through the medium, of the jour- 

 nal. 



IV.^ — On the cause of the Land Winds of Coromandel. — » 

 By Robert Wight, Esq. m. p. Surgeon. 



" This peculiar dryness which has been long remarked, 

 but never so far as I can learn, have accounted for, is I think 

 satisfactorily explained on the principle already mentioned, 

 the change of capacity for moisture which the air undergoes, 

 in passing from a colder and more condensed state, to a 

 warmer and more rarified condition : a principle, which pro- 

 bably increases the intense dryness of our hot land winds 

 and perhaps assists in some degree in explaining their origin.'* 

 Observations 8fc. Mad. Jour. vol. 2d, p. 381 — 2. 



Of the correctness of the Theory proposed in the above 

 extract, my valued and talented friend Mr. Malcolmson has, 

 in a letter, expressed some doubts. These have induced me 

 to reconsider the subject, and as the result tends strongly to 

 confirm my views, I propose offering some further remarks in 

 explanation of them. Mr. M. observes " according to your 

 theory the great dryness and heat of the country, would be 

 left out. The winds are really dry, and not only apparently 

 so, for although they produce great cold, they will cause np 

 dew on Daniel's Hygrometer, when they blow at Hyderabad, 

 as I tried it for several days," 



