4^58 



On Water-Spouis, 



Art. XII. On Water-Spouts, 



Water- SPOUTS make their appearance from the bosom of 

 a heavy cloud, such as that represented at {Jig.^00. a), gra- 

 dually descending in a point like an inverted cone, sometimes 

 perpendicularly, and sometimes bending, or waved. The 

 weight and velocity of such a body of water falling into the 



200 



sea, agitate and throw up the water around in a surprising 

 manner, as represented at b, till it is exhausted, when it dis- 

 appears gradually as it began. It is obvious that the pheno- 

 menon is caused by a change in the atmosphere when full of 

 clouds, by different contrary currents of air opposing one an- 

 other, perhaps in the same manner as may be seen in streams 

 of water, which, by the intervention of some body are variously 

 thrown into whirlpools, which by their circular motion carry 

 down a conical column of air in their centres. 



In this manner we may suppose, that when the atmosphere 

 is surcharged with gross and heavy vapours, put into violent 

 motion by the impulse of contending winds, one of which must 

 prove the most powerful, they may force one anolher into a 

 circular or spiral motion, as at figure c, to the centre of which 

 the grossest and heaviest parts inclining, as is the case in all 

 fluid bodies, form into a body which we see descend. The 

 body is of various sizes ; one seen at about a mile distant ap- 

 peared to be about 5 ft. in diameter ; but there are some seen 

 much larger. It cannot be ascertained from their appearance, 

 whether they are solid or hollow in the centre. 



