The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-28
Cyeioid. Non"''"'
Injected,

Injected, @.
Tie curve b, called the common oyc.od, repre-
sents tho line described By the pencil when project
ing from the tire.
g repre- sents the curve produced when the pencil
is between the tire and the axle, called the inie's
ed cycloid.
A represents the curve made when the pencil is
beyond the tire, called the eurtate cyclold. The
loop made below the plane on which tho wheel rolls
must be larger in proportion as the distance from
the axle, the velocity Of rotation relatively to that
Of progression being greater, because the pen,
moves through larger circle.
1t follows that these curves must vary in proper
tion the situation of the pencil IL varied 50 THAI
There must be diversity of curvature for every
| variety OF dsSsnce.
1t is equally true that for every zones into which
| the fat cylindrical forming whirlsni can
be divided, there must be corresponding eyoloid
| generated by the whirlins and travelling motions
In any storm to which many ships should be OK
| posed in as msuy different zones, each might be
| driven through different cycioilal psth.
The common crycloid is generated by any zone OF
| cy Under whiThog and travelling, of which the
velocity Of gyration is one third greater than that
| OF progression. When toe velocity Of gyration in
any zone is less than this, the Infected cycloid
results: when greater, the curtate form ensucs.
| The onward We getty being thirty miles per hour,
the zone which gyrates with the velocity of forty
| miles in the same time will drive vessel along
path like tho curve, Fig. B. If with velocity Of
thirty miles per hour an y, injected cyslodal path
miles per hour. the path pursued would be that
represented BY Fig. A.
| is it not rema. kable that Mr. Redfeld's obser-
vatiors never gave any Indication of these various
! cycloidal paths! In some zone OF any storm c3n-
siituted according the whirlwind theory, each OF
the forms of the cyclod above represented must be
produced, as well varieties of the infected and
cur.ate FERNS in quence of variations in the
| relative generating forces.
IL is qnite true, as stated, that Redfeld did re-
present 'his observations rs demonstrating Winds
blow in circles. Not only we're they so described
by him; they We're also deiineated in his charts of
storms, {of which several now In my POSSESSION
| as u consisting O, circular curteGis.
| The arrons showing the direction Of The winds
! ore always ty hin represented ciccies None
| are exhibited Upon cyeloJai paths, Does n05 this
| demonstrate That 50 iaE ~ &r. R9dhe!d's ohserva
tons tue, an hypothesis requiring ths Hiad TO
| blow i'll cyclolasl paths must BE- iase!
| wish 1t 10 b. unacrs.ool thai | do not believe,
| that throughout single mile n any storm, the
wind ever bioss j. cye,o!ja curves lt seems me
| that any hypothesis requiring such complicated AID
I.scordant movements - taks place, w!tan eertlia
meter. is Inanii. Sly absurd The inblowihe taco =
| dois rot require such caves TO be pursued
! ;, Agysaahy to TIC Flepkl.e yoWDal. " 49, p '22)
Mr. Redield uses the following lonEuage;~-''Tae
rotation Of continued whill@ind involves not only
changes In tie position and condition of IFS consti-
tuent particles, but constant accession of the ex-
terror atmosphere to the body of the whrlwini TO.
gether with discharge equally constant, spi.ally,
| at one extremity OF the axis OF rotation
Again. ? 120:-" Nor is it my in'enton to deny
| any movement nor upTard tendency ut The centre
/ OF q whirl.ind storm, for Of such moyement,
apart ffcm theory, have long since obtained good
evidence -
Here one portion of Mr. Rodfel5's observations
shows that his atorms attended by an accession
OF air. OF Of an inbloYing movement and :oncomi
taht discharge at one extremity of the axis of ro-
tation, which must OF course be the upper extre-
nifty, as the existence Of an upward movement
there is asserted "on good evidence"
Yet all this is afterwards contradicted by other
evidence from The came author, as we arc told that
the centrifugal action in storm which gyrates
horizontally, must tend to withdraw, or rarity the
ar al the centre, by causing an accumulation to-
wards the exterior OF the storm, thus causing a
higher state Of the barometer around the exterior
CT the border than at the centre Of the gole
Ihs connection and result is in strics accordance
with the facts of the case as exhibited in all storms
Of this Character rs far a nv observations ana in
form alton extend"
If the inblowipg theory be correct, then the ALE
CATIONS IN the two first pare gfaphs quoted would be
true If the whflyi ind theory be correct, then the
ehesaaois N tho last mtntioned paragraph would
oe uue; but heueld, Wolfe adopting the one theory,
mas sanctioned the evidence boJh sides not per-
cet'lpg that II either b. true, the other must Do
faiso,
But was there ever q more monstroue error than
that Of making the air in storm 40 the same time
seek the centre and the eiIcumerence-to reyolve as
the air uoes IN u winnowing machine aud conss-
quenty to enter about the axis, simultaneously
drawn IN from the circumference and give it out aoout
tic axis.
The only moving power suggested BIZ Nrr RodGeld
is 8 inechanl 'ai grayitaou as connected with the
rotary and orhitual motion Of the earth" Adj
miStng that these general forces could cause any
portion OF TIE atmosphere 10 rotate it is inconccy-
able that the sutjacent water OF tho ocean should
not be similarly affected Ia 10 not ineumbent uroo
the author Of this idea to show how the forces in
question can be concentrated upon a particular
dlsk OF the atmosphere, 50 as to make it revolve
Within lbe surrounding non revolving auuulus Of
the same medium I! . Yet rotatiye movement in
the al" ia alleged by him to be " the QUIZ cause
OF destructive winds and tempests"
For the generation Of this rotative movement. the
autnor eonplnes "th the general forces above men
toned the transient eject OF obs'ruotins bodies ne
apparent in the following language
Inc northern margin or parallels OF the trade
winds, sweeping towards the gulf, must necessarily
come in collision with the archipelago of islands
which skirt the Caribbean sea. The obstruction
which they aiofd Produces constant tendency to
circular evolution"
"Tbese masses Of atmosphere, thus set into active
revolution, continue to sweep along the sloDds with
increased rapidlty of gyraton until they imnioga
upon the American coast"
Having thus given one Of Mr. Redfelds c1plnna-
SONS OF tne cause OF his suppositious whirwinds,
VIII proceed to give another in which be loses sight
of the planetary motions and the conflicting Islands
OF the Caribbean sea, ard makes his yhirlwinds
selfbegotten progeny.
Agreeaby TO one Of his expositions, il has been
alleged that every storm is due to "a rota.ive move
ment in the air." forgetting that as q rotatye |
movement in the air s precisely the same thing as
a whrlwind, this view Of the subject makes n |
whirlwind q selfmoving power.
The subioined paragraph tends to confirm that
view: owe observe that whirlwinds and spouts
appear to commence gradually, acquire their full
activity without the aid Of any foreign causes and
IL Is well known that they are most frequent in
By the word zone mean the portion Of the area Of
circle included between any two concentric circles
- IN ~;r.<~
centric circles be drawn within the space bounded by
larger that space viii b divided into ten zones and