Fig. 14.]

Another view was taken about two P.M. of the same day, when the scud had a
very dark, gloomy appearance--as _dark_ and _gloomy_ as those of a Mexican
norther--too dark to represent by a cut.

Not unfrequently in a moist summer season, after a day of showers or rain,
which have had an extending formation or lateral extension from north to
south, it will commence blowing in the morning, and encourage the
hay-maker with the hope of fine weather. But often before noon, the milky
stratus condensation above with cumuli below, will appear in the trade;
the N. W. wind die away and variable airs from the east or south appear,
to be followed toward night by an enlargement of the cumuli and showers.
It rarely, if ever, blows fresh till the storm condensation of the trade
has passed; or continues to blow after that condensation reappears. When
it commences blowing after a storm, and the northern edge of the storm is
not over us, we may frequently see the latter low down in the S. E.
passing eastward.

[Illustration: Fig. 15. NORTH VIEW.]

2d. Its scud are peculiar. Every one, probably, has noticed them. They are
distinct, more or less disconnected, irregular, with every form between
those of the easterly scud, cumulus, and stratus, according to the season.
If large, with _dark under surfaces_; forming _rapidly_ and as _rapidly
dissolving_; rarely dropping any rain, sometimes dropping a flurry of
snow, in November or March, oftener than at any other period; sailing away
to the S. E., and casting a traveling shadow as they pass on over the
surface of the earth. Their electricity, particularly when white, is
probably always positive, as that of all whitish clouds is supposed to be.

3d. _It is emphatically a surface wind._ The incident storm winds, the N.
E. and S. E., frequently _commence blowing_ under the storm, toward its
point of greatest intensity, _up near the line of cirro-stratus
condensation_, evidenced by the running scud; or blow there with most
rapidity, and so continue for hours before the whole surface atmosphere
from thence to the earth becomes involved in the movement; and sometimes
without being felt below at all. Not so with the N. W. wind; it _begins at
the surface_ and blows there with more rapidity than above; it seems to be
attracted by the earth; it interposes between the earth and the trade,
wedging the trade up and occupying its place. It blows under at all
seasons of the year, but most r