described, and unquestionably true.
But it may well be asked how he, or others, distinguish which of two or
more currents (for there are frequently three, and sometimes four
visible), are the true currents of the storm, and which interlopers from
another storm? Is the true one always the upper one, and why? If the
upper one, why is the interloper at the surface noted and quoted to prove
what a storm is? How does he know what proportions of the winds he has
recorded to show the revolving motion of gales, were the true storm winds
of the particular storm? or, that every one of them was not an interloping
wind on which the true storm wind was superimposed?

These inquiries are pertinent, for obviously, unless some rule for
distinguishing between the currents is given, and there be evidence of
direct observation to show that the surface wind, whose direction is
noted, is the true wind of the storm, and that the _latter_ is not
_superimposed_, no reliance can be placed upon logs, or newspaper
accounts, or registers. There is another element besides direction, viz.:
superimposition, a determination of which _is_ essential to _truth_. It
will be difficult for Mr. Redfield to say that a determination of that
element has been made, with certainty, in a single storm he has
investigated; and in relation to the convergence of storms, and blending,
and superimposition of their winds, I think he is mistaken.

Mr. Redfield is right in saying (American Journal of Science, vol. ii.,
new series, p. 321) that "too much reliance may be placed upon mere
observations of the surface winds in meteorological inquiries," and yet
_they_ only have thus far been regarded, and he has proved gyration in no
other way. I have frequently, with a vane in sight, asked intelligent men
how the wind was, and been amused and instructed by their inability to
state it correctly. Mr. Redfield, in his inquiries, often found two
reports of the weather at the _same time_, from the _same place_,
materially different; and I have known, from my own observation,
newspapers and meteorological registers to be several points out of the
way; and this, because the vanes are influenced by local elevations, and
change several points, and very often; because few know the exact points
of the compass in their own localities, and because entire accuracy has
not been deemed essential. For these reasons, newspaper and telegraphic
reports are not always reliable; and therefore, and