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78 ) Notices of Tornadoes, §. 
From the report of Peltier, of which I subjoin a translation, it 
will be seen that, excepting his neglect of the co-operative influ- 
ence of the elasticity of the air, he sanctions my opinion that a 
tornado is the effect of an electrical discharge. 
“ Yesterday,” says Peltier, “I visited the commune of Chate- 
nay in the canton of Ecouen, department of Seine and Oise, and 
‘investigated the disasters experienced inthe month of June last, 
froma tornado which first originated over the valley of Fontenay 
des Louvres. At present I can give only a summary account of 
this wonderful phenomenon. 
“ Early in the morning a thunder cloud arose to the south of 
Chatenay, and moved at about ten o’clock over the valley between 
the hills of Chatenay and those of Ecouen. 'The cloud having ex- 
tended itself over the valley, appeared stationary and about to pass 
away to the west. Some thunder was heard but nothing remarka- 
ble was noticed, when about midday a second thunder storm com- 
ing also from the south and moving with rapidity advanced towards 
the same plain of Chatenay. Having arrived at the extremity of the 
plain above Fontenay, opposite to the first mentioned thunder 
cloud, which occupied a higher part of the atmosphere, it stopped 
at a little distance, leaving spectators for some moments uncertain 
as to the direction which it would ultimately take. That two 
thunder clouds should thus keep each other at a distance, led to 
the i impression that being charged with the same electricity, they 
y repellent, and that a conflict would ensue 
in which the terrestrial surface would play an important part. 
to this time there had been thunder continually rumbling within 
the second thunder cloud, when suddenly an under portion of this 
clond descending and entering into communication with the earth, 
the thunder ceased. A prodigious attractive power was exerted 
*I had presented copies of the pamphlet containing my memoir to M. Arago and 
several other members of the Institute. In a subsequent conversation he referred 
to some of the suggestions which it contained. As it conveyed a view of the ques 
tion decisively favorable to the claimants, it may be inferred that it must have 
heen alluded to by Arage and thus have become the source of Peltier’s impressions. 
It may therefore be anticipated that due acknowledgment will be hereafter made 
by him when he realizes his promise of making a more elaborate report on the tor 
et nap of. aesting may. Before entering ‘Spon the ing by which I sustained my 
b words: ‘ After maturely idering 
a the facta Lam led to. suggest that a tornado is the effect of an electrified current % 
air seding the more means of discharge between the earth and ae 
those vivid sparks which we call lightning. 
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