40 
On  the  Climate  of  the  British  Islands 
to  a much  greater  depth  than  the  harrow  penetrates,  by  the  access 
thus  given  to  atmospheric  agency. 
89.  During  winter,  and  in  the  spring  months,  heavy  gales  from 
the  west  and  north-west  frequently  occur;  and  the  surf  from  the 
Atlantic  rolls  with  tremendous  force  on  the  iron-bound  western 
coast.  When  the  wind  has  been  blowing  half  a hurricane  I have 
watched  the  effect  of  the  breakers  from  the  top  of  the  cliffs  ; the 
frothy  spray  of  the  waves  was  whirled  about  the  base  of  the  rocks, 
until  caught  by  the  baffled  wind  it  was  carried  upward  with  amaz- 
ing velocity  high  above  the  land,  and  is  thus  scattered  over  the 
country  to  a considerable  distance  from  the  shore.  I have  seen 
many  acres  of  wheat  thus  completely  destroyed  by  this  “ breach 
of  the  sea,”  as  it  is  termed.  The  saline  particles  in  the  air  may 
be  tasted  on  the  lips ; the  tender  buds  of  trees  and  grass,  as  well 
as  corn,  are  blighted  and  wither  under  its  influence. 
On  attempting  to  reach  the  coast  in  a late  storm,  the  force 
of  the  wind  was  so  great  that  I was  twice  thrown  down ; but  on 
the  edge  of  the  cliff,  though  fully  exposed,  no  wind  was  percep- 
tible. I stood  as  if  in  a charmed  scene ; a hurricane  was  around 
me,  but  I felt  it  not.  A moment’s  reflection  showed  me  that  the 
wind  rushed  up  the  face  of  the  cliff  with  such  force  as  to  form  a 
kind  of  bower  above  my  head.  By  means  of  this  upward  current 
pieces  of  saline  froth,  flinches  in  diameter,  were  thrown  high  into 
the  air,  and  reached  a corresponding  distance  inland.  A large 
quantity  of  salt  is  thus  lodged  in  the  soil. 
90.  When  a south-west  wind  veers  around  to  the  north-west  it 
generally  blows  heavily,  and  proves  most  injurious  to  the  wheat- 
plant  in  February.  When  this  wind  is  long  continued,  exposed 
fields  rarely  recover  the  effects  produced ; if  a fine  summer  and 
well-filled  ear  follows,  yet  the  crop  of  straw  is  thin. 
91.  The  general  strike  of  the  geological  formations  of  these 
islands  is  south-west  and  north-east,  which  is  in  the  direction  of  the 
prevailing  winds.  The  range  of  the  mountain-chains  do  not,  there- 
fore, afford  that  shelter  which,  under  different  circumstances,  they 
would  give  ; and  of  which  Herefordshire  and  Cheshire,  protected 
on  the  south-west  and  north-west  by  the  Welsh  hills,  are  good 
examples.  The  surface  of  Ireland  is  greatly  exposed  from  this 
cause,  and  being  mostly  destitute  of  timber,  the  south-west  winds 
have  a clear  sweep  over  the  island.  The  soil  on  the  limestone 
being  thin  and  friable,  the  little  wheat  grown  is  subject  to  be 
blown  out  of  the  ground.  The  most  sheltered  district  is  that  on 
the  north-east ; where  the  soils  on  the  grauwacke  and  trap  being 
more  loamy  and  deeper,  the  wheat-crop  succeeds  better,  and  is 
more  generally  cultivated. 
92.  In  the  south-west  of  England  there  is  a marked  difference 
(indicated  by  the  state  of  the  timber)  between  the  shelter  in  the 
