282 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Sept. 



THK EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBEll 20tli, 1870. 

 By PRiNCif AL Dawsox, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. 



One of the uses of tliis Journal is to record, in a permanent 

 manner, any rare or unusual natural phenomena, the notices of 

 which, in the daily and weekly press, would soon perish. This 

 function the Naturalist has hitherto performed with respect to 

 Earthquakes. In our number for October, 1860, a detailed ac- 

 count was given of the Earthquake of the 17th of that month, 

 which, in many respects, resembled that of this year. 



In connection with that event, a general notice of the received 

 theories of Earthquakes was given, and also a catalogue of all 

 the previously recorded Earthquakes felt in Eastern America, 

 about 87 in number, of which at last 29 were felt in Canada, 

 more or less severely — by far the most violent having apparently 

 been that of February 5th, 1<363.''^ The next earthquake of any 

 importance was that of April, 1864, a detailed notice of which 

 will be found in the Naturalist, Yol. 1., N.S,. p. 156. 



The following extracts from newspapers show the intensity 

 of the shock, and, approximately, its time at different places, 

 arranged in the order of their longitudes. 



Frederickton, N. B. — Shock felt at 11 .45. 



Bic. — An earthquake was sensibly felt here at 11.30 this 

 mornino-, lastinsf half a minute. The direction seems to be from 

 AVest to East. 



River du Loup, ai has, 11.13. — The shock commenced 

 and lasted 45 seconds ; appeared to come from N. W. ; accom- 

 panied by rather heavy rumbling. 



Point Levi, 11.15. — A dreadful shock of earthquake 

 was felt here at 11 . 15. 



Quebec. — At 11.17 a.m. a severe shock of earthquake was 

 felt here. Buildings shook and bells rang ; several chimneys were 

 knocked down in Desfosses street, and two persons nearly killed. 



Boston. — A shock of earthquake was felt here and all along 

 the line from Montreal. 



The Earthquake. — Inverness, P. Q., Oct. 20th. — A 

 severe shock of earthquake was felt here to day at about 11 .25 

 a.m. which lasted tor over a minute. The course of the undula- 

 tion seemed to be in an easterly direction. It caused great alarm 

 in this vicinity. 



*Caiiadian ifaturalist, 1st Series, Yol. Y. p. 363. 



