MR. H. F. BLANFORD ON THE WINDS OE NORTHERN INDIA. 
621 
Fig. 5. Lower Winds S.W. monsoon. 
The conclusion is, I think, in accordance with the evidence adduced in the foregoing 
pages, which at least establishes the superior steadiness, velocity, and extension of the 
south-west monsoon current. It is, however, at variance with that of Dr. Muhry ; and 
it is but due to the recognized eminence of that writer that I should specify why and 
wherein I differ from him. Dr. Muhry considers that the south-west monsoon is a 
phenomenon of less magnitude than the north-east monsoon, which he regards as iden- 
tical in character with the north-east trade of the North Atlantic and of equally remote 
origin. The passage has been quoted on a preceding page, in which he speaks of it as 
a current proceeding from Central Asia. lie regards both the north-west monsoon of 
Australia and the south-west monsoon of India as a deflection or retroversion of the 
lowest stratum of a perennial trade-wind ; and infers from the perennial northerly flow 
of the smoke of the Merapi volcano in Java, and the prevalence of winds from between 
north and west at Dodabetta during the south-west monsoon, described by Colonel Sykes, 
that the former current is not more than 6000 feet, the latter 9000 or 10,000 feet in 
vertical thickness. In regard to the latter, I will observe, in the first place, that it has 
already been shown that the north-east monsoon of Indian seas has its origin in Northern 
India, and is there, at all events, a current of less depth and magnitude than Dr. Muhry 
supposes, since the winds on the North-west Himalaya at 7000 or 8000 feet are 
throughout southerly. There is, then, no reason to infer that the south-west monsoon 
is merely a deflected current of a trade-wind, the very existence of which over India is 
negatived by the evidence. Secondly, Dr. Muhry has omitted to notice certain obser- 
vations of Colonel Sykes, which at least imply doubt of the north-west winds of Doda- 
betta being the return current of the south-west monsoon. He says that “ it very 
frequently blows from only one or two points to the northward of west, and may belong 
to the monsoon of Western India, local physical circumstances having given it a slant”*. 
There is nothing improbable in this explanation, as the broad valley in which lies the 
station of Ootacamund runs up to the north-west of the peak, and in mountain-tracts 
Philosophical Transactions (1850), vol. cxi. p. 373. 
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