'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎24] (127/496)

in our humble opinion, likely hereafter to be one of the most import
ant means by which a correct solution of the whole phenomenon may
be obtained.
At Dodabetta, for example, the pressure of humidity observed was
equal to *400, and if the whole of this superincumbent vapour had
been suddenly reduced to the form of rain, it would only have covered
the surface to the depth of 5*24 inches. But, so far from anything
of this nature having* taken place, it was found that notwithstanding
a deposition of water from the air equal to a depth of 17’71 inches,
the proportion of vapour suspended in it was rather increased than
diminished at the departure of the stormy mass of clouds that had
shrouded the mountain for several days. It therefore follows, as a
necessary inference, that a continuous supply of vapour was being
brought into the sphere of condensation during the “ incessant heavy
“ rain” so invariably noticed by all observers. It is equally evident,
from principles which cannot be explained, that the South and S.W*
winds were the vehicles which conveyed their load of moisture, imbibed
at the equator, to the stormy circle. Dry hot winds preceded the
hurricane, and wet, westerly, “ monsoonish,” weather followed. The
theory of tropical storms is intimately connected with these facts.
At every other point of the storm there is little doubt that a simi
lar state of things might have been detected. Had we possessed any
information regarding the Barometer and hygrometrical state of the air
during the fall of rain at Rutnagherry, results similar to those at
Dodabetta would most likely have been obtained. At Poona on the
18th the pressure of moisture was *574 when the rain was beginning
to come down, yet, although more than six inches fell between
this date and the 21st, there was an excess of vapour remaining in
the atmosphere, to the extent of ’100, over that at the commencement,
or a pressure of *674. At Bombay the quantity of vapour in the air
was augmented from *709 to *934 between the 18th and 21st, when
the storm was sweeping past or over it.
Velocity of the Gale —The velocity and force of the wind are not the
least interesting points in our investigation, yet on this, as on most
others, we possess only casual and imperfect snatches of information, on
which little reliance can be placed, but quite enough to excite a keen
desire for more extensive and complete observations on the subject when
opportunities may offer. At one point alone we have exact information