38 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
WEATHER AND WEATHER CHARTS. 
ABSTRACT OF PAPER BY DB. MERBIFIELD, F.B.A.S., F.M.S. 
(Read October 17th, 1878.) 
Uses of a knowledge of weather to sailors, to miners, to the sani- 
tary engineer, and to the agriculturist. Difference between weather 
and climate. Description of instruments used in forecasting weather. 
All natural phenomena follow a law. The law of cyclones. Buys 
Ballot's law. Scott's gradients illustrated, and use explained in 
showing the force of the wind. The Beaufort scale for wind. The 
readings of the barometer at one station no safe guide in forecasting 
weather, illustrated by examples. Isobars explained, and direction 
of the wind shown to follow the isobaric curve, whilst the force of 
the wind is shown by the crowding of the isobars together. Isobars 
in cyclones and anti-cyclones shown, and weather deduced from 
them. Yeering and backing of the wind shown to follow from the 
position of the cyclonic or anti-cyclonic centre. Path of a storm 
modified by the contour of a country, illustrated. Modification of 
path also shown from the proximity of an anti-cyclonic centre. The 
use of the telegraph in forecasting weather. Difficulty experienced 
in England in forecasting weather, and contrasted with other 
European countries. The advantage of England to these countries, 
because lying in the storm-path from the Atlantic. American storm 
warnings to England not reliable, as shown by Scott's table, taken 
from the Mercantile Magazine. The Gulf Stream the breeding- 
ground for British storms. Why veering of the wind should give 
stable, and its backing unstable weather in England. Mr. Meldrum's 
connection of sun-spots with rainfall. 
THE LIMITATIONS OF " FREE TRADE." 
BY THE REV. W. SUABMAN. 
(Read October 24th, 1878.) 
