tion of the trades, near their extreme
limits. They are not unfrequently wholly wanting, near the northern limit,
for several days in succession, and calms and baffling winds are found in
their place--another effect of the irregular action of terrestrial
magnetism, consequent upon the ever-changing transit of central activity
from south to north, and from north to south. Upon the islands, however,
and continents, which have elevated mountain peaks and ridges, especially
if of volcanic origin and activity, which approach more nearly the path of
the counter-trade, a different state of things exists. There, showers and
gusts are frequent. Thus, upon the Sandwich Island, Kauai, the most
northern one, which is within the region of the N. E. trade during ten
months of the year, and upon its volcanic peaks and elevated table-lands,
and north-easterly from them, over the district of Waioli, rain falls in
abundance during the year, while the coastlines upon other portions of the
island can not be cultivated without irrigation. (See Wilkes' Exploring
Expedition, vol. iv. pp. 61 and 71; and American Journal of Science and
Art, for May, 1847).

A like state of things, in degree, may be found upon the Canaries, and the
more elevated of the West India Islands. The Cape de Verdes are an
exception, and the Christian world are quite often called upon for
contributions of provisions, to save the inhabitants of these islands from
starvation. They lie at the northern limit of the equatorial belt, and for
a period of two months only (July and August), are supplied with rain. If,
from any cause, the belt does not move as far north as usual during any
season, unbroken drought and famine are sure to overtake them. The islands
contain some elevated peaks, and are of volcanic origin, but not of
present volcanic activity, and the counter-trades as they issue from the
equatorial belt at their highest elevation, are too far above them for
reciprocal, influential action. If the islands could be placed 10 deg. further
north, we should hear no more of drought or famine from them, and their
quantity of rain and fertility would be not only more permanent, but much
increased. Superadded to this, is the fact, that at that point the belt of
rains precipitates feebly because the S. E. trade originates upon the
southern part of the continent of Africa, and the N. E. mainly, upon the
desert and the Barbary States--and both are sparingly supplied with
moisture.