A. When these currents of air meet at the equator, they clash together, and fly off in a new direction.
Q. Do trade winds blow from the north-east and south-east all the year round?
A. Yes, in the open sea; that is, in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for about 30 degs. each side of the equator.
Q. Do the trade winds blow uniformly from north-east and south-east in the indian ocean?
A. No; nor yet in those parts of the Atlantic and Pacific which verge on the land.
Q. Why do not the trade winds blow uniformly from north-east and south-east in the indian ocean?
A. Because when Arabia, Persia, India, and China, are exposed to the enormous heat of their summer sun, the air is so rarefied, that the colder air from the south pole rushes towards these nations, and not to the equator; in consequence of which, a south-west wind is produced for six months of the year.
Q. How does it blow for the other 6 months?
A. When the sun has left the northern side of the equator for the southern, then the southern part of the torrid zone is most heated; and the cold air from the north (rushing towards the southern tropic) is diverted to the north-east, where it continues for the other six months of the year.