'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎6] (107/496)

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appears to have been about 50 or 60 miles from the land, with one
segment of the circle embracing the Ghauts, and the other the
Laccadive Islands. In the following paragraphs it will be our ob
ject to furnish a brief abstract of the facts from which these con
clusions have been drawn. To give all the details in their undigest
ed form is out of the question on the present occasion, but those who
take a more than ordinary interest in the subject may rest assured that
they shall be laid before the public in another place.
From the 5th to the 10th of April severe thunder-storms and unset
tled weather prevailed at Ceylon. However, the first indications of
stormy movements in the atmosphere, in the form of a gyrating mass,
were observed about the 12th April in the neighbourhood of Ceylon,
where it was blowing a heavy gale from East, both at Colombo and
Trincomalie. The ketch Ceylon Island when within 26 miles of
Colombo had the “ wind S. S. E. to E. S. E., very violent, the sea high,
and much rain fell,” which obliged her to stand off to the west
ward. On the same day the Buckinghamshire, in Latitude 5° 41/ N.,
Longitude 68° 3$' E., had “ a steady breeze at N. N. W.” On the
equator, it is known that westerly winds prevail at that season,
On the 13th April, the Ceylon Island appears to have had more
moderate weather after she ran N. W, ; but the Buckinghamshire, as
she steered to the N. E., and at noon was in Latitude 7° IE N,,
Longitude 70° 41K E., found the wind still at N. N. W., but in
creasing to u fresh breezes, and cloudy weather with lightning all
round.” The latter vessel would appear to have been entering the
western side of the stormy circle. We also learn that “ at the Neil-
gherries the rain and the wind commenced there with great vio
lence on the 13th,” and elsewhere we find that it was easterly. From
Trichinopoly, Madura, and other places, similar accounts were re
ceived.
On the Hth, the circular direction of the storm is traceable over
an immense tract of land and sea. At Trincomalie the gale blew
from South to East; near Colombo, it was East by South to S. S. E.
At Aleppee also the gale was beginning at S. E. to East. Over the
southern part of India Easterly winds were prevailing. About 400
miles to the westward, m Latitude 8° 18 / N,, Longitude 72° 56 E*?
the BucUnghamhire had “ squally weather, constant rain, and much
lightning,” along with a northerly breeze. The usual westerly winds
near the equator appear to have been blowing and extending northward