The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-01
l New Discovery In the claw OF
-, StOrms.'

One of the most important contributions
recently made to science is one on the form OF
cyclones, by the eminent cyclonologist Charles
Meldrum, Director Of the Government Obser-
vatory at Mauritius. This able treatise pres
ents new discoveries in this field Of meteor
ology, which not only must revolution
ize old theories, but will greatly enhance
the safety Of the seaman and the seagoer. The
old theory, that the oceanic cyclones are circu-
lar has prevailed in nautical minds for many
years, despite many disastrous results arising
from following it out If these terrible storms
are of q circular form it is very easy to deter
mine the storm vortex, and the ordinary
rules laid down for its avoidance are ex-
tremely simple. But if they are not circular
the present rule is not only inapplicable, but,
when most carefully applied. will often plunge
the mariner into the worst of the tempest.
The discovery which Mr.. Meldrum now es-
tablishes is that cyclones have helical or
elliptical shape, formed between two opposing
streams of air. He goes back to the storm
registers of early date to make good this view
and unquestionably sustains his conclusion
from the East Indian data. On. the morning
of the 25th of February, 1860, forty-one YES
sells left the roadstead of Reunion with
southeasterly wind, which, according to the
old LAW of Storms placed the vortex
to the northeast, and these vessels
ran to the northwest to avoid it. The
result demonstrated that the central vortex
was really north-northwest, 80 that they ran
directly in its fiery front, and only four of
them-one steamer-succeeded in crossing
the storm path. As for the remaining thirty
seven, only seven escaped total loss or very
great injury, the latter costing the insurers
over half million dollars. Mr.. Meldrum
conclusivey shows from the largest mass of
archaeological data ever collected, that the
rotary gales of the South Indian Ocean are of
an elliptical form; that they are generated be-
tween an easterly and westerly air current,
and cease between a northerly and southerly
current $50 that they are fattened on their
northern and southern sides ct their COM
mencement and on their western and eastern
sides at their close" He also concludes that
the progress Of investigation proves that the
truth of nature lies in this matter in COM
promise between the Espy and Redfeld the
cries, which have been so long and warmly
discussed by scientists.
This investigation, so deeply practical
might be, and ought to be, pushed in our own
seas, where, no doubt, as in the Southern
Ocean, the discovery Of Mr.. Meldrum will be
verified The correct prediction of storms on
land has advanced SO rapidly within q few
years that, with sufficient research, there is
little doubt the claw of Storms" might be
greatly perfected, and the navigator enabled
to make sure calculations for their avoidance.
BR1aANDAGE ON STATEN ISLAND. Our
thieves are acquiring taste for the TO-
mantle 1t is to this fact we owe the pic
turesque robbery committed last Tuesday
night at Staten Island. A masked band
plundering dwelling house is something
novel in the local history of crime. It lifts
the robbery out of the commonplace and
places it on o level with the outrages of the
picturesque vagabonds which have hitherto
been confined to Italy and Spain. The rob-
bers seem to have laid their plans carefully
and to have taken every precaution to guard
against alarm or surprise. Having bound the
servants and reduced them to silence by
threats, the robbers proceeded coolly to ran
sack the premises. The safe was blown open
after three hours endeavor to force it with
burglar tools, the thieves carrying on their
operations during that time without attracting
notice, and departing without leaving any
traces by which they can be followed En-
couraged by their success the band will proba-
bly, endeavor to make new raids. little
additional vigilance on the part Of the police
would be advisable and might lead to the cap
ture OF the gang.