shorter period of excessively warm weather.[1] Thus we infer the existence in the upper air of reservoirs for the heat as well as of chambers for the cold.
249. The warm winds of the Andes caused by the trade-winds.—The streaks of warm air on the Andes (§ 246) derive their warmth in all probability from the liberated heat of the trade-wind vapours as they are condensed into snow-storms.
250. Dormant powers of the telegraph in meteorology.—Spells of wet and dry, as well as "terms" of hot and cold, weather sometimes pass over portions of the country like great waves. They occupy hours, or days, or weeks in their march. The magnetic telegraph would, were the system of combined research out of which this work has grown so enlarged as to permit us to use it as a meteorological implement,[2] enable us to give warning of all such changes in the weather in time for farmers and others, as well as mariners to profit by the foreknowledge. We could foretell the coming of storms also.
251. The wind in his circuits.—We now see the general course of the "wind in his circuits," as we see the general course of the water in a river. There are many abrading surfaces, irregularities, &c., which produce a thousand eddies in the main stream; yet, nevertheless, the general direction of the whole is not disturbed nor affected by those counter-currents; so with the atmosphere and the variable winds which we find here in
- ↑ "Heated Wind Storm.—A heated wind storm passed over a portion of Kansas on the 7th instant (July 1860), which proved nearly as destructive to animal life as the recent tornadoes that visited with such terrible effect portions of Iowa. The wind arose about half-past ten o'clock a.m., and continued until three o'clock in the afternoon. At one o'clock the mercury rose to 119½°, and continued so for about an hour, and then began gradually to decrease. The effect can scarcely be imagined. The wind blew a brisk gale, carrying with it a salty, sulphurous smell. Two men, in attempting to cross the country from Iola to Humboldt (distance eight miles), were overtaken and perished. There were three others at Humboldt who were caught out with teams, which perished, the men alone surviving, and are now in a fair way to recover. There was scarcely a chicken left in the country. Hogs and cattle fell in their tracks and suffocated. Various reasons and conjectures as to its cause are given, but all unsatisfactory."—Newspaper.
- ↑ Arrangements for so using it have already been made in Holland, France, and England, and we hope to see them extended ere long to all other countries, and wherever lines of telegraph may go. Though the plan only went into operation in England in Sept. 1860, Admiral Fitzroy informs me, it is already rich with the promise of practical results the most valuable and important.—London, Nov. 14, 1860.
