th Atlantic, as
far as 5 deg. N., where calms may be expected, or the south-east trade
may reach across, depending on the season; but when near land they yield
to the _land and sea breezes_. Thus at 10 deg. N. the land-breeze will be
at E. from 11 P.M. until 6 A.M., then calm intervenes up to 10 A.M., when
the sea-breeze sets in, probably W., and blows home fresh. Yet at 20
miles off shore the trade-wind may blow pretty strong from N.E. or
E.N.E.--The _harmattan_ is a sudden dry wind blowing off the coast of
Africa, so charged with almost impalpable dust that the sun is obscured.
It sucks up all moisture, cracks furniture and earthenware, and
prostrates animal nature. The rigging of vessels becomes a dirty brown,
and the dust adhering to the blacking cannot be removed.--The _tornado_
lasts for a short time, but is of great force during its continuance.--The
_northers_ in the Gulf of Mexico, or off the Heads of Virginia, are not
only very heavy gales, but are attended with severe cold. On a December
day, off Galveston, the temperature in a calm was at sunset 86 deg. The
norther came on about midnight, and at 8 A.M. the temperature had fallen
to 12 deg., and icicles were hanging from the eaves of the houses. The
_Tiempo di Vendavales_, or southers of Western America, is an opposite,
blowing heavily home to the coast. The _taifung_ of China, or typhoon of
the Indian seas, is indeed precisely similar to the hurricane of the
West Indies.

WIND-SAIL. A funnel of canvas employed to ventilate a ship by conveying
a stream of fresh air down to the lower decks. It is suspended by a whip
through the hatchways, and kept open by means of hoops; the upper part
is also open on one side, and guyed to the wind. Ships of war in hot
climates have generally three or four of these wind-sails.

WIND-TAUT. A vessel at anchor, heeling over to the force of the wind.

WIND-TIGHT. A cask or vessel to contain water is said to be wind-tight
and water-tight.

WINDWARD. The weather-side; that on which the wind blows; the opposite
of _leeward_ (which see). Old sailors exhort their neophytes to throw
nothing over the weather-side except ashes or hot water: a hint not
mistakable.

WINDWARD SAILING, OR TURNING TO WINDWARD. That mode of navigating a ship
in which she endeavours to gain a position situated in the direction
whence the wind is blowing. In this case progress is made by frequent
tacking, and trimming sail as near as possible to the wind.