AN AFFECT OF SOUTH-WEST WINDS. 
187 
be heard at the distance of more than three miles, 
and is termed by countrymen the “ roaring of the 
cleaves” (cliffs). 
There is a circumstance moreover which exem¬ 
plifies the power and prevalence of our south-west 
wind ,—its physical power or force, and its power 
or influence on vegetation. All the oaks and some 
other sorts of trees within a few miles of the sea-coast 
exhibit more or less proof of this effect of the pre¬ 
vailing blasts. Some are bent or are grown in a 
north-east direction at right angles from their trunks, 
and have not the least shoot on the opposite point; 
some however have large branches on their south 
or south-west side, still inclining at their upper 
parts to the contrary direction ; some without shew¬ 
ing much inclination to the north or north-east, 
have no shoots whatever on the windward side, 
proving hereby that the wind had acted inimically 
on the vegetating powers of the trees, ai?d as some 
few exhibit in the growth of their chief branches 
from the trunk a superior power of vegetating on 
the north-west, this influence of the prevailing 
winds in checking by their continued power the 
growth of branches generally within their immedi¬ 
ate scope and reach is further demonstrated. The 
apparent direction then of these stunted trees will 
vary on the whole from north-w r est to south-east, 
but in general they act as compasses to the travel¬ 
ler by indicating the north or north-east. The 
generality of trees, and especially oak, become 
u stag-headed” or stunted in their upper branches 
when planted on hills within reach of the sea winds, 
and the elm hardly survives a removal to such 
elevated spots. 
There is with us an omen or indication of an 
approaching storm well known to those resident on 
the sea side. Just as the appearance of the stormy 
