The small degree of reflection which might otherwise take
place, is generally prevented by the rippled state of its surface. The
air resting on the sea, then, like that resting on a forest, receives
little or no heat by reflection or contact; and is therefore colder than
that which lies over a cultivated country.
To apply these observations to the phenomena under consideration. The
first settlements of Virginia were made along the sea coast, bearing
from the south, towards the north, a little eastwardly. These
settlements formed a zone, in which, though every point was not cleared
of its forest, yet a good proportion was cleared and cultivated. The
cultivated earth, as the sun advances above the horizon in the morning,
acquires from it an intense heat, which is retained and increased
through the warm parts of the day. The air resting on it becomes warm
in proportion, and rises. On one side is a country still covered with
forest: on the other is the ocean. The colder air from both of these,
then rushes towards the heated zone, to supply the place left vacant
there by the ascent of its warm air.
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