S58 On peculiar Noises occasionally heard 



pole of inclination, — where it is really found, according to the 

 newest observations calculated by Hansteen. The pole of in- 

 tensity lies under Latitude 56", Longitude 80° ; and of inclina- 

 tion under Latitude 71°, Longitude 102° west from Paris. — 

 Poggendorfs Annalen, 1829. 



On peculiar Noises occasionally/ heard in particular Districts, 

 with some further Remarks on the production of these 

 Sounds. Communicated by the Author. 



In page 74. of your last Journal, an interesting paper is in- 

 serted upon the peculiar noises heard at Nakuh, on Mount Si- 

 nai, resembling the tone of an ^Eolian harp, or the sound emit- 

 ted by the instrument used in the Greek monasteries instead of 

 a bell ; that this is succeeded by a murmuring like that of a 

 hollow top ; and, lastly, becomes so loud that the earth seems to 

 shake. In discussing the opinions of Mr Seetzen, Mr Gray, 

 and other travellers, it is finally decided, on the evidence of Pro- 

 fessor Ehrenbcrg, that the phenomenon is referable solely to 

 the rolling or grating of dry coarse granular sand down the sur- 

 face of a steep acclivity in the rock. Those who are conversant 

 with alpine scenery, and in the habit of strolling amidst the re- 

 cesses of these mountainous regions, will readily bear their testi- 

 mony to the power of avalanches for the px-oduction of those 

 awful concussions which so often rouse attention, re-echoing 

 from every pinnacle and precipice ; while, to the more gradual 

 and gentle lapses of sheets of pulverised snow down the smooth 

 inclined planes of lengthened acclivities, may be referred the 

 minor moanings which rise and fall upon the car, much rescm- 

 blino- in character the tones of El Nakuh. But however just 

 may be the deductions formed from the visit of Professor 

 Ehrenbcrg to that remarkable place, I am induced to notice the 

 subject, for the pui pose of pointing out, not only the possibility ; 

 but the certainty, that similar effects may be produced by other 

 causes, and that the murmurings of El Nakuh are by no means 

 confined to the bosom of Mount Sinai. For I suspect that not 

 only all elevated regions, but other tracts of land under favour- 



