sible that the "Autan," which circulates between Corsica and the
Balearic Isles, could escape from its bounds. He did not admit the
theory of winds imprisoned like bears in their dens. It was he, too, who
said that "every rain comes from the tropics, and every flash of
lightning from the pole." The wind, in fact, becomes saturated with
electricity at the intersection of the colures which marks the extremity
of the axis, and with water at the equator; bringing moisture from the
equatorial line and the electric fluid from the poles.

The wind is ubiquitous.

It is certainly not meant by this that the winds never move in zones.
Nothing is better established than the existence of those continuous air
currents; and aerial navigation by means of the wind boats, to which the
passion for Greek terminology has given the name of "aeroscaphes," may
one day succeed in utilising the chief of these streams of wind. The
regular course of air streams is an incontestable fact. There are both
rivers of wind and rivulets of wind, although their branches are exactly
the reverse of water currents: for in the air it is the rivulets which
flow out of the rivers, and the smaller rivers which flow out of the
great streams instead of falling into them. Hence instead of
concentration we have dispersion.

The united action of the winds and the unity of the atmosphere result
from this dispersion. The displacement of one molecule produces the
displacement of another. The vast body of air becomes subject to one
agitation. To these profound causes of coalition we must add the
irregular surface of the earth, whose mountains furrow the atmosphere,
contorting and diverting the winds from their course, and determining
the directions of counter currents in infinite radiations.

The phenomenon of the wind is the oscillation of two oceans one against
the other; the ocean of air, superimposed upon the ocean of water, rests
upon these currents, and is convulsed with this vast agitation.

The indivisible cannot produce separate action. No partition divides
wave from wave. The islands of the Channel feel the influence of the
Cape of Good Hope. Navigation everywhere contends with the same monster;
the sea is one hydra. The waves cover it as with a coat of scales. The
ocean is Ceto.

Upon that unity reposes an infinite variety.

IV

TURBA TURMA

According to the compass there are thirty-two winds, that is to say,
thirty-two points. But these dir