Defining the Wind by Scott Huber

Beaufort was a seaman and nautical chart hydrologist. Among his many accomplishments was the development by borrowing and enhancing and the later adjustments by others of an observational scale of wind velocity. The author highlights the importance of observation in a world of meters and gauges. The scale is also useful, practical. The descriptions are perfect in economy and evoke helpful images. They are science and poetry at their best.