at its utmost violence. It is remarkable, however, that in the Atlantic, the parallel named is rarely visited by a tempest of that character.

It is singular, that Dr. Franklin, when treating of whirlwinds, should not have struck upon the idea, that the current of air moved round a centre, but should have considered those meteors as proceeding from concentric currents; "a fluid moving from all points horizontally towards a centre."

66

Upon the strength of this hypotheses, it seems at first equally singular, that Colonel Capper should have offered an opinion which we now know to be substantially correct, with respect to the hurricane, according to Mr. Redfield's theory, of which he knew nothing. But our surprise will cease in the latter case, when we come to examine both, and find that similar results will follow in either, whether the wind shall blow towards, or round a centre. The Colonel says: It would not, perhaps, be a matter of great difficulty, to ascertain the situation of a ship in a whirlwind, by observing the strength and changes of the wind if the changes are sudden, and the wind violent, in all probability the ship must be near the centre or vortex of the whirlwind; whereas, if the wind blows a great length of time from the same point, and the changes are gradual, it may be reasonably supposed the ship is near the extremity of it."

Another point for consideration is, the variable rate of the progressive velocity. The only regular feature of the giant meteor, as far as our present knowledge goes, is the gyration, which, indeed, to the seaman, is the main point, as it robs the storm of some of its terrors.

But whether we are to look for the cause of the irregularity of its rate, to what is going on above, or to the condition of the medium through which it sweeps, remains for elucidation. If there should be

intervals when the current of air becomes less energetic, would these be sufficient to account for the retardation, and renewed energy, for the accelleration? The pivot upon which this question rests, seems to be, whether the progression be dependant upon the force of the circumvolving wind. We have elsewhere ventured an opinion, which, although, it may not be considered conclusive, at least appears reasonable, that both these conditions principally depend upon the amount of disarrangement in the lower atmosphere over the islands, and through which the storm moves; but we candidly acknowledge our inability to account for the discrepancy of the meteor turning away from the rarefied air, and advancing in a direction towards the north; our aim is, however, rather to seek the truth, than to insist upon our own hypotheses, however plausible they may appear to oneself, not being imbued with the pertinacity of Goldsmith's Parson.

As hurricanes do not pursue a uniform velocity, the rate of their actual progression can only be a mean of the whole between two given points, and this can only be arrived at after they have ceased to act on any two or more stationary spots, or on two vessels, when the exact time of commencement and conclusion have been respectively noted, with the distance that separated the vessels.

may take, when it received its first impulse. If, however, we should be warranted in drawing a conclusion from the first known direction, taken by the typhoon, which is a similar phenomenon, we would say that, the first course of the hurricane is to the S. W.; and this would lead us to the variable latitudes as the place of origin of, at least many of, these progressive tempests.

The perennial wind does not appear to have any influence on the course pursued by the hurricane, as taking W.S.W. as the general direction of the former, it would strike the meteor obliquely on the posterior verge, and did it affect the latter, we should expect to find it following a pretty uniform path between S. W. and W. May we, therefore, not consider that the course of the hurricane is governed by some principle more powerful than the trade-wind, or the rotation of the wind of the storm itself?

We may be allowed to dissent, without it being expected that we should offer a cause, from the opinion that the orbital, or diurnal motions of the earth have any influence in this, or indeed in any case, except those of the succession of night and day, and the seasons. The tremendous velocity, astounding even in contemplation, of the one, and the extreme regularity of the other, leaving every other consideration aside, would seem sufficient to negative such an opinion, yet we have seen it stated that the flight of birds is effected by the rotation of the earth. The sweep of the hurricane to the northward is curious, as it recedes from a rarefied air to one considerably denser, the course sometimes, being ultimately reversed from that pursued near the islands. can be no effect without a cause; hence the question.-What power imparts this peculiar curve, so generally pursued, to these meteors? is probable, that, those storms which touch the Florida stream, may be afterwards guided by it; yet it is true, that some have followed the same curvilinear course, to the eastward of that stream; and undoubtedly the set or flow of the waters in an earlier stage of their progress, would not incline them to the N.W., but to the west or southward of that point.

There

As a portion of the route of these storms lies along the continental line, we might at first consider, that, but for the intervention of the land, they would pursue a direct course across the Pacific, and so on towards the Indian Ocean; but, it appears that, although many hurricanes follow the line of the American continent, some have reached the land, and swept away, no one knows where.

The remark of Colonel Capper, that hurricanes were unknown in the great ocean, has been disapproved by Capt. Kotzebue, who ascertained that, at Radack Island, in 10° N., and 190° W., hurricanes from S. W., of great violence, sometimes occur in September and October; and the natives always anticipate with dread, the recurrence of those

months.

These tempests are probably similar to those of the West Indies, and the remark of the natives, that the wind comes from the S.W., may be considered as referring merely to the crisis, or nearest approach of the centre of the storm to the island; at which time, the wind would be

at its utmost violence. It is remarkable, however, that in the Atlantic, the parallel named is rarely visited by a tempest of that character.

It is singular, that Dr. Franklin, when treating of whirlwinds, should not have struck upon the idea, that the current of air moved round a centre, but should have considered those meteors as proceeding from concentric currents; "a fluid moving from all points horizontally towards a centre."

Upon the strength of this hypotheses, it seems at first equally singular, that Colonel Capper should have offered an opinion which we now know to be substantially correct, with respect to the hurricane, according to Mr. Redfield's theory, of which he knew nothing. But our surprise will cease in the latter case, when we come to examine both, and find that similar results will follow in either, whether the wind shall blow towards, or round a centre. The Colonel says: "It would not, perhaps, be a matter of great difficulty, to ascertain the situation of a ship in a whirlwind, by observing the strength and changes of the wind if the changes are sudden, and the wind violent, in all probability the ship must be near the centre or vortex of the whirlwind; whereas, if the wind blows a great length of time from the same point, and the changes are gradual, it may be reasonably supposed the ship is near the extremity of it."

Another point for consideration is, the variable rate of the progressive velocity. The only regular feature of the giant meteor, as far as our present knowledge goes, is the gyration, which, indeed, to the seaman, is the main point, as it robs the storm of some of its terrors.

But whether we are to look for the cause of the irregularity of its rate, to what is going on above, or to the condition of the medium through which it sweeps, remains for elucidation. If there should be intervals when the current of air becomes less energetic, would these be sufficient to account for the retardation, and renewed energy, for the accelleration? The pivot upon which this question rests, seems to be, whether the progression be dependant upon the force of the circumvolving wind. We have elsewhere ventured an opinion, which, although, it may not be considered conclusive, at least appears reasonable, that both these conditions principally depend upon the amount of disarrangement in the lower atmosphere over the islands, and through which the storm moves; but we candidly acknowledge our inability to account for the discrepancy of the meteor turning away from the rarefied air, and advancing in a direction towards the north; our aim is, however, rather to seek the truth, than to insist upon our own hypotheses, however plausible they may appear to oneself, not being imbued with the pertinacity of Goldsmith's Parson.

As hurricanes do not pursue a uniform velocity, the rate of their actual progression can only be a mean of the whole between two given points, and this can only be arrived at after they have ceased to act on any two or more stationary spots, or on two vessels, when the exact time of commencement and conclusion have been respectively noted, with the distance that separated the vessels.

truth, however complicated we may consider the system in detail, and however puzzled we may be to account for, or reconcile satisfactorily, to our finite reasoning, the various movements which take place.

It is not, sir, that we believe ourselves capable of offering a perfect solution of this obscure problem, we submit these remarks for insertion in your useful publication; but having been long in the habit of reflecting on the various phenomena which we have observed in the progress of our movements in different parts of the world, and of committing our thoughts to paper, we feel it almost a duty imposed upon us as a member of that profession, which claims for itself, the ocean as a home, to place them before your readers.

We need not occupy space by tracing the permanent currents, their general courses are known to seamen, although the continuous lines have not been clearly established. The commencement of the mightiest of these wonderful streams appears not yet to have been discovered. All that seems to be actually known is, that it passes like a sluice round the Cape of Good Hope, is said to cross the South Atlantic, is supposed to flow through the Caribbean Sea, and Florida Channel, along the coast of North America, and curving to the eastward, near the banks of Newfoundland, is lost nobody knows where.

There is certainly something so very astonishing in the contemplation of an oceanic stream, of which, among those of the land, there is no parallel, of so vast an extent, pursuing a devious course, that the mind at once becomes amazed, and the attention forcibly arrested by the subject; and our surprise is rather increased than diminished, upon finding that this river of the sea, has neither had its origin, or termination unquestionably determined. Considering the course it pursues, would it not be a fallacy to conceive that, like the material symbol of eternity, it has neither beginning nor end.

In the consideration of the permanent currents, which may not inappropriately be termed oceanic rivers, it has always been usual to seek for causes alone on the surface, whilst the hidden operations that may be passing in the deep abyss, have been unheeded.

We know not by any experiment, what effects* if any, take place at the bottom of the ocean, near to where volcanic action is active; for instance; around the Azores, Iceland, &c. Although it has been surmised that the tropical character of the Mediterranean is owing to volcanic heat; and we think it highly probable, that the mildness of the climate about Cape Horn, may be accounted for, from the same

agency.

The temperature was found by Sir J. Franklin, and Capt. Buchan, to be greater beneath, than at the surface, in the Northern Ocean, where iguivomous operations are carried on to a great extent.

How deep does the superior warmth of the Florida stream extend ? This, sir, is a question worth the trial, because if it were found deep seated, we might not unreasonably infer, that some communication

We allude to the effects of heat, on the atmosphere and water.

exists between the active volcanoes of Guatimala, and Yucatan, which peninsula, with its spinal range of mountains, lies in the direction with the course of the stream, through the Strait. Would it be unphilosophical to connect igniferous action, supposing a subterranean communication, with the warmth and flow of that current? These are questions, however, unlikely they may appear to our present notions of the streaming of lengthened portions of sea water, that are not unworthy of

attention.

Jets d'eau, hot, are ejected ninety feet high into the air in the Icelandic sca. Why should we limit the effect to a vertical action only? Would there be anything unreasonable, after that fact, in enlisting a horizontal play of this active elemental strife? The misfortune seems to be, that our minds are so wedded to abstract ideas, that, it becomes difficult from, perhaps, indifference, or sheer indolence, to entertain enlarged views; and the individual who starts hypotheses, which, when calmly examined, may have nothing improbable in them, but, from their novelty alone, create distrust, is set down as permitting his reason to "run riot."

We have, sir, been so long accustomed to look to the winds, upon the abstract consideration of their often violent action and constancy, in certain parallels, as the cause of currents, that without farther trouble on the occasion, we rest satisfied with the explanation; at the same time to all seamen, who have made observations to any purpose, it is well known that such assumption is not borne out by facts. If a given cause is inadequate to the production of an apparent effect, is it not an absurdity to insist upon the single application of it?

We find in almost all parts of the world that there are rivers, some of great magnitude and extent; generally taking their rise from elevated lands; and if we reason from analogy, why should we not consider that there are also subterranean and sub-marine rivers, issuing from unceasing reservoirs in the earth?

At a first view, this idea may startle the sober minds, of some of your readers, but, there is not, sir, any thing unreasonable, or even fanciful in the supposition. By a natural hydraulic process it may be easily reconciled.

*

Let us for a moment banish the old notion, that there are no other rivers but those which run on terra-firma; suppose the source to be situated on elevated land, and that by a subterraneous channel this supply is carried gradually lower and lower, until it vents beneath the surface of the ocean; and that, as it flows downwards in its hidden course, it meets with various accessions from other streams, and its volume and capacity become continually augmented, until it arrives at its place of exit. The impetus acquired in the descent, and the less specific gravity of the fresh water, if the depth proved not insuperable, would be equal to the ascent towards the surface, against the incumbent pressure

• It is not improbable, that before the fact was determined, a stand would have been made against any opinion stating, that some rivers run inland from the sea shore, because such tallied not with pre-conceived ideas on the subject.