Sir Benjamin Thompson's 
78 
owing to their separation from the neighbouring continent 
by so large a tract of sea ; and in all similar situations, in 
every part of the globe, similar causes are found to produce 
similar effects. 
The cold north-west winds, which prevail upon the coast 
of North America during the winter, seldom extend above 
100 leagues from the shore, and they are always found to be 
less violent, and less piercing, as they are further from the 
land. 
These periodical winds from the continents of Europe and 
North America prevail most towards the end of the month 
of February, and in the month of March ; and I conceive 
that they contribute very essentially towards bringing on 
an early spring, and a fruitful summer, particularly when 
they are very violent in the month of March, and if at that 
time the ground is well covered with snow. The whole at- 
mosphere of the polar regions being, as it were, transported 
into the ocean by these winds, is there warmed and saturated 
with water : and, a great accumulation of air upon the sea 
being the necessary consequence of the long continuance of 
these cold winds from the shore, upon their ceasing the 
warm breezes from the sea necessarily commence, and, spread- 
ing themselves upon the land far and wide, assist the returning 
sun in dismantling the earth of the remains of her winter 
garment, and in bringing forward into life all the manifold 
beauties of the new-born year. 
This warmed air which comes in from the sea, having ac- 
quired its heat from a contact with the ocean, is, of course, 
saturated with water ; and hence the warm showers of April 
and May, so necessary to a fruitful season. 
