Whirlwinds excited by Fires. 373 



tion, and it was one of the most magnificent spectacles that I 

 have ever witnessed. 



"■Neio York, 1%th November 1831." 



Mr Dwight related, also, that the men who lighted up the 

 field, became so alarmed by this whirlwind of fire, as to rush 

 for safety to the neighbouring river. 



During a visit to Amherst, in Massachusetts, in the month 

 of August 1832, I obtained from Dr Cowles, of that place, the 

 following account of a similar case, which occurred in that 

 vicinity, under that gentleman's immediate observation. 



Statement of Dr Coicles. 



" In the summer of 1824, I had prepared, for burning, the 

 refuse timber and brushwood, on seven acres of pine wood- 

 land, which had been cut over for some months previous, A 

 still day, which proved very warm, was selected, in order to 

 avoid the danger of extending the fire to the neighbouring 

 woodlands by means of the wind ; and as the materials were 

 in fine combustible order, I invited several friends to witness 

 the burning. The combustibles were collected in piles and 

 ridges, and fire was set to the outward portions of the field, on 

 all sides, as fast as was conveniently practicable. The smoke 

 and flames were now concentrated in a large whirling column, 

 over the centre of the field, rising in the form of a cone, and 

 ascending to a great height. It was attended with a heavy 

 roar, which was heard at a great distance. Although on a 

 perfectly calm day, the action of this whirlwind was so vio- 

 lent as to remove from the ground large pieces of brushwood, 

 even from places not touched by the fire, carrying them high 

 in the air, from whence they afterwards fell without the limits 

 of the burning field." 



I learned also from Dr Cutler, of Amherst, that his atten- 

 tion had likewise been drawn to this phenomenon, which he 

 beheld from near his own house, at a distance of a mile and a 

 half from the fire. He informed me, that it exhibited to his 

 view, an elevated pillar of black smoke, attended by a " roar- 

 ing noise, like that occasioned by the violent burning of a 

 chimney." 



