, 1874-10-28
THE UTILITY OF J II. JAHNOKE'S
WRITINGS ON HURRICANE AC-
KNOWLEDGED BY THE
JAMAICA PRESS.
(From The Col. %Standard)
(From The Col. Standard

w F0ShAAO 80
Jahncke Of ST. Thomas, a copy Of his paper on
the Hurricanes which so often desOlate this
mart of the world. The merit of this paper
consists in the fact that it records the expert
ence of an intelligent and we'll informed 0bserv-
or. and does not attempt to uphold any special
theory by making facts for the purpose. OBJ
servers like Mr.. Jahncke are Of more real ser
vice to science than the pedantic saVants who
adopt or invent q theory, and warp every
thing TO bear it out. We regret our Inability
TO do Justice to this able paper, but We have
no doubt that it will be viewed by all earnest
seekers after truth as q most valuable addition
to the stock of knowledge of actual phenome-
ma from the conscientious consideration OF
which accurate and reliable conclusions may
be formed.
We agree with Mr.. Jahncke, that it is very
much to be regretted that the several scientific
societies of Europe and America do not inquire
more into the nature of Cyclones, and do not
endeavour to discover something regarding
their origin. The only reason, he thinks, that
can be assigned for this general apathy, is one
not very creditable to these scientific defaulters,
namely, that they do not care to trouble them
selves about these phenomena because they do
not know that they are affected by them. We
in Jamaica have to depl0re the share Of neglect
which we experience from the same cause.
Whilst princely sums are voted by England for
explorations in distant countries, the object of
which is often to solve curious points simply in
the physical history Of the Globe for such a
purpose, as studying the origin of the devasta-
ting agencies which from time to time ruin the
Islands in these ATTITUDES, and discovering o pre-
ytntive if possible, not a sous can be spared. The
little knowledge really available to science re-
yarding Jamaica for instance, has been collect
ed by private amateur hands, without any aid
whatever from the state if we except the geo.
logical survey of Jamaica and that was un-
dertaken at the expense OF the island, by a
former Government, which it now pleases some
people to style as plunged in its time in the
deepest darkness and ignorance. The imper-
feet labours of that survey-the explorations
being confined more to economic geology, than
to anything else, were however sufficient to
arrest the attention Of the most eminent men
in England to The importance of further and
more searching inquiries, and yet nothing has
been done in Difference to their suggestions,
towards so desirable an object. Jamaica remains
almost a terra inc0gnlta to science, whilst she
might be destined, if properly explored, to fur
nish the key to many a problem now perplex-
jng to the most learned. But to return to Mr..
Jahncke European and American Govern
ments, he justly says, who support their scien-
tiic societies should remember that there are
millions worth of their property at stake in
these Islands, and that any light thrown upon
the subject OF Cyclones, might be used as a
means of prevention, and of spariDg not only
property but hundreds of human lives. The
Caribbean Islands as demonstrated by him lie
so much in the track of the North Atlantic
Cyclones, that beginning with Barbados and
running through to Barbados, each one seems
to be specially designed by nature to be a me-
neurological station for the advancement of
science, and the protection of human life and
Commerce. With the submarine cable con-
Meeting these Islands with each other and with
America and Europe, the data for generalisa-
tons could be easily transmitted to one or two
head offices, and the results published for gen.
eral information. Having a station at each of
the Islands in the line of which Barbados would
be No. l, and each station properly provided
with good Sea coast BarOmeters, and all the
other necessary instruments, the reports could
be all forwarded to St. Thomas as a head sta
ton, where they could be compared, and COM
piled, and published, and reported further to
Offices in the United States and Europe. We
see no objection to this plan but we would take
cave to suggest, that the larger Islands to the
Westward of Saint Thomas should be included
in the circle of observation. In England and
America there is a regular system of observa-
ton bv which at a vast expense. millions of