CHAPTER XXXXVIII.
Facts and Observations tending to confirm the Doctrine of Accumulation and depression.
Section 260. BEFORE the Subject of mediocèanal Accumulation and Depression of Air, is wholly quitted; it may be well mention and compare a few Facts and Observations, which will elucidate the Doctrine; and in their Turn, receive Light from it.
261. If, in the Middle of a hot sunny Day, Vapours lighter than the Air, were to rise from the Ocean, (which they will continue to do, in hollow Vesicles or Bladders, till the Expansion breaks the Bubble, at which Time the Water woud fall to the Earth, if not drank up by the Attraction of dry Spunges of Air;) there woud be a constant Wind blowing from Land to Sea, to fill up the Chasm: but at such Time, the Land is more heated than the Sea: therefore hot Air and Vapour arise from both; and the Breeze, on the contrary, blows from Sea to Land; consequently if the Vacuities were not continually supplied from the etherial Regions, and from the Ocean, all Animals woud actually die, for Want of Air, as in a hot close Room.
Such Supply is therefore constantly made, by Depression of the Atmosphere, and Absorption of the Water.
262. What happens on a great Scale, above the Ocean, as before hinted; probably, happens on a smaller, over Channels or Arms of the Sea: and on a still smaller; over and along Rivers, Brooks, wet Meadows, and damp Grounds.
263. In the variable Latitudes on the Atlantic Ocean; cool fresh Air is supplied from above, by descending Vortices of Wind and Showers: i. e. Storms of collection.[72]
264. It may be remarked, in Confirmation of the above Doctrine, that triangular or Latteen Sails are used, and more useful, in a Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by high Lands, from which the Wind suddenly descends in Squalls; than in the open Atlantic, where the Wind is more equal.
264. 2. Perhaps there cannot be a better Account of the depressing Torrent of Air, than that which Bacon has given, in describing the Motion of Wind on the Sails of Ships, in a Squall.