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IV. An Account of the Harmattan, a fingular African Wind. 
By Matthew Dobfon, M. D. F . R. S. ; communicated by John 
Fothergill, M. D. F. R. S. 
Read December 7, 1780. 
T HE Harmattan is a periodical wind which blows from 
the interior parts of Africa towards the Atlantic Ocean, 
and poffefles fuch extraordinary properties, as to merit the at- 
tention of the naturalift, making a curious and important article 
in the hiftory and theory of the winds. 
The firft information I had on this fubjcift was from my 
friend Mr. norris, who has frequently vifited the Coaft of 
Africa, and i$ a gentleman of an excellent underftanding and 
ftrift veracity. This information immediately excited my at- 
tention ; and as Mr. norris was preparing to make another 
voyage to that part of the world, I delired him to confirm the 
fails which he had related, by further inquiries, experiments, 
and obfervations ; and it is from thefe materials, with which I 
have been obligingly furnilhed by Mr. norris, that the follow- 
ing account is drawn up. 
On that part of the Coaft of Africa which lies between Cape 
Verd and Cape Lopez, an eafterly wind prevails during the 
months of December, January, and February, which by the 
Fantees, a nation on the Gold Coaft, is called the Harmattan. 
Cape Verd is in 15 0 N. latitude, and Cape Lopez in i° S. lati- 
tude, and the coaft between thefe two Capes runs, in an oblique 
direction. 
