146 : Water-Spout. 
cells, and try the effect of a few minutes’ exposure to the atmo» 
sphere:—the effect was singular and interesting: for when the 
plates were returned , upwards of six inches of the platinum wire 
were instantly exalted toa WHITE HEAT. This impor teu result 
will immediately bring to your recollection some analogous ex- 
periments of Mr. Parretty j Jun. ; and it follows that | by the appli- 
cation of mechanism to raise and lower the plates*, we can at 
pleasure renew if not increase. the action, without additional 
acid. | have frequently repeated this since, and always obtained 
an increased‘action. Your obedient humble servant, 
Whitehaven, Aug. 18, 1817. de Monnaws 
WATER-SPOUT. 
It happened to the editor of the Monthly Magazine, on the 
27th of June, about seven in the evening, to witness the forma- 
tion, oper ate and extinction of what is called a water-spout ; 
a phenomenon which in all ages has puzzled philosophers and 
encouraged the superstition of seamen and the vulgar. He was 
in the house north of the chapel at Kentish Town, and his at- 
tention was drawn to a sudden hurricane which’ nearly tore up 
the shrubs and vegetables in the western gardens, and filled the 
air with leaves and small collections of the recently cut grass. 
Very dark clouds had collected over the adjoiiing country, and 
some stormy rain accompanied by several strokes of lightning 
followed this hurricane of wind. "The vjolence lasted a few mi- 
nutes ; and the writer being drawn to the eastern baleony, it was 
evident that a whilwind agitated the variety of substances which 
had been raised into the air. The storm proceeded from west 
to east, that i a from Hatnpstead over Kentish Town towards Hol- 
Zz lowav. In about five minutes, 
in the direction of the latter 
place,a magnificent projection 
was visible from the clouds, like 
that on the margin: 
It descended two-thirds of 
the distance from the clouds 
towards the earth, and evi- 
dently consisted of parts of 
clouds descending in a vortex, 
violently agitated like smoke 
from the chimney of a furnace 
recently supplied with fuel. It 
then shortened, and appeared 
to be drawn up towards the 
stratum of clouds; and presently it assumed the following ap- 
pearance: 
* As in Mr, Pepys’s Apparatus.——Ep. 
