Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 2.djvu/95

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precisely the reverse. Easterly winds prevail most in April, and least in August, reckoning the months singly; of any two consecutive months they prevail most in March and April, and least in July and August; of any three consecutive months they prevail most in March, April and May, and least in the three following months, June, July and August. The following statement, deduced from Mr. Giddy's tables, shews that easterly winds prevail by far most in spring, least in summer, and more in autumn than in winter:─

Winter. Spring. Summer. Autumn.
Easterly Winds, No. of Days 34 44 32 38

The relation of different winds to the temperature and humidity of a climate, is an important matter of consideration. In this district it is, generally speaking, true, that in the seasons in which westerly winds prevail most, there are most wet days; thus, in the months of March, April and May, there are only two days more of westerly than easterly winds, while in December, January and February, there are 21; accordingly we find the number of wet days in the former month is only 34, while in the latter it is 46. It is true, that in the three following summer months, the proportion of westerly winds is still greater than in the winter months, while the number of wet days is considerably less; but it must be remembered, that there is in the latter case the counteracting influence of the fine season.

The effect of the two different winds is so well known, that it is common to believe, when the wind is easterly, that there will be no rain; while, when it is in the opposite direction, however promising in