104 
Frequency of 
Northerly Winds Southerly Winds 
at 9 p m. at 9 p.m. 
New Moon 43 days. 162 days. 
First Quarter 65 do. 138 do. 
Full Moon 89 do. 116 do. 
Last Quarter 75 do. 128 do. 
Ratio of Southerly to 
Northerly 
Winds. 
3-76 
2-12 
1-30 
1-70 
The differences between the numbers in the last column 
of each of these two tables are so great that it seems 
impossible to doubt that the position of the moon with 
respect to the sun exercises in some way an influence upon 
the direction of the wind, and that this is the case is further 
supported by the fact that in each winter the frequency of 
northerly winds under the full moon and last quarter was 
greater than under the new moon and first quarter, as will 
be seen from the following numbers 
Northerly Winds at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. under 
New Moon and Full Moon and 
First Quarter. Last Quarter. 
21 49 
36 56 
30 37 
34 52 
40 57 
26 39 
31 32 
1871- 2 
1872- 3 
1873- 4 
1874- 5 
1875- 6 
1876- 7 
1877- 8 
These numbers also indicate that the frequency of 
northerly winds under the full moon and last quarter, as 
compared with that under the new moon and first quarter, 
has gradually diminished during the seven years. Thus 
taking groups of three winters each, we have the following 
mean ratios 
1871-2 to 1873-4 the mean ratio is ... 1/63 
1873-4 to 1875-6 do. do. ... 1*40 
1875-6 to 1877-8 do. do. ... 1-32 
Assuming that this diminution is due to the gradual 
diminution of solar activity which has been going on during 
the seven years we may expect that the ratio will be at a 
minimum during the present winter. 
The widely different character of the action of the moon 
upon the direction of the wind during the summer months 
