A Guide To The Scientific Knowledge Of Things Familiar Part 67

Q. _Why are the winds in Europe generally the most PLACID during the months of SEPTEMBER and AUGUST?_

A. August and September are our _warmest months_, when we approach nearer to the heat of the torrid zone than in any _other two months_; therefore, the air (to and from the equator) _moves with less velocity_ in our northern hemisphere.

Q. _Show the GOODNESS and WISDOM of G.o.d in the constant tendency of air to equilibrium._

A. If the cool air of the polar regions did not rush into the torrid zone, _it would become so hot_, that no human being could endure it. If (on the other hand) the hot air from the torrid zone did not modify the polar regions, they would soon become _insufferably cold_.

Q. _Why are EAST WINDS in England generally DRY?_

A. Because, as they come over the _vast continents_ of Asia and Europe, they absorb _very little water_.

Q. _Why does their imbibing so little water make them DRY winds?_

A. Being thirsty when they reach our island, they readily imbibe moisture from the air and clouds; and, therefore, _bring dry weather_.

Q. _Why is the NORTH WIND in England generally COLD?_

A. The north wind comes from the _polar regions_, over mountains of snow, and seas of ice; in consequence of which, it is very _cold_.

Q. _Why are NORTH WINDS in England generally DRY and biting?_

A. As they come from regions _colder than our own_, they are _warmed by the heat of our island_; and (as their temperature is raised) _they absorb moisture_ from every thing they touch; in consequence of which, they are both _dry and parching_.

Q. _Why is the SOUTH WIND generally WARM in England?_

A. The south wind comes over the hot sandy deserts of Africa, and is heated by the land it traverses.

Q. _Why does the SOUTH WIND often bring us RAIN?_

A. The south wind (being much _heated_ by the hot sands of Africa) _imbibes water very plentifully_, as it pa.s.ses over the Mediterranean Sea and British Channel.

Q. _Why does the SATURATION of the south wind cause RAIN?_

A. As soon as it reaches our cold climate, _it is condensed_, and its vapour is squeezed out (as water from a wet sponge).

Q. _Why are WEST WINDS in England generally RAINY?_

A. The west winds come over the _Atlantic Ocean_, and are laden with _vapour_: if, therefore, they meet with the least _chill_, some of the vapour is squeezed out.

Q. _Why is a fine CLEAR DAY sometimes OVERCAST in a few minutes?_

A. Because some _sudden change of temperature_ has condensed the vapour of the air _into clouds_.

Q. _Why are CLOUDS sometimes DISSIPATED quite as suddenly?_

A. Because some _dry wind_ (blowing over the clouds) has _imbibed their moisture_, and carried it off in invisible vapour.

Q. _Why does a SOUTH-WEST wind bring us RAIN?_

A. As it comes from the _torrid zone_, and _crosses the ocean_, the hot wind is _laden with vapour_; and as some of the heat escapes (as soon as it reaches our northern island) the _vapour is condensed_, and precipitated as rain.

Q. _Why does a NORTH-EAST wind RARELY bring RAIN?_

A. As it comes from a climate _colder than our own_, its capacity for imbibing vapour is _increased_ when it reaches our island; in consequence of which, it _dries the air_, dispels the clouds, and promotes evaporation.

Q. _Why does WIND sometimes bring RAIN, and sometimes FINE weather?_

A. If the wind be _colder than the clouds_, it will condense their vapour into _rain_: if the wind be _warmer than the clouds_, it will _dissolve_ them, and cause them to disappear.

Q. _Why are MARCH winds DRY?_

A. Because they generally blow from the east or north-east; and, therefore, _sweep over the continent of Europe_.

Q. _What is the USE of MARCH winds?_

A. They _dry the soil_ (which is saturated with the floods of February), _break up the heavy clods_, and fit the land for the _seeds_ which are committed to it.

Q. _Why does "MARCH COME IN like a LION?"_

A. Because it comes in with _bl.u.s.tering east winds_, which are essential to dry the soil, which would otherwise _rot the seed_ committed to it.

Q. _Why does "MARCH GO OUT like a LAMB?"_

A. Because the water (evaporated by the high winds) falls again in _showers_ to fertilize the earth, and _breaks the violence of the winds_.

Q. _Why is it said that "A bushel of MARCH DUST is worth the king's ransom?"_

A. Because it indicates that there has been a continuance of _dry weather_; and unless _March be dry_, the seed will rot in the wet soil.