8 
Additional Objections to Redfield’s Theory of Storms. 135 
77. Treating of whirlwinds excited by fire, the author thus 
expresses himself: “ T’he foregoing results can only be explained 
by a violent wortical action steadily maintained. * * * The as- 
cending power of the vortical column or whirlwind, is strongly 
exhibited. * * * But the spire of a columnar vorter exhibits a 
penetrating and ascending power which far exceeds, both in its 
intensity and the extent of its action, any other ascending move- 
ment that we witness. This effect appears to be owing to the 
spiral motion of the column which presses onward in the direc- 
tion of its axis, till it reaches a limit of elevation yet unknown.” 
(This Journal, Vol. xxxv1, p. 56.) Would it not be as reasonable 
to expect the spiral of iron usually employed to open bottles, 
Spontaneously to penetrate a cork without being actuated by the 
operator’s hand, as that the aerial spiral, which agreeably to the 
description above given, constitutes a tornado, should, ‘ without 
any foreign aid,’ “or any currents to meet each other,’ be en- 
dowed: with the force which he has described. Admitting the 
storm-producing: efficacy of a collision between trade winds and 
islands, admitting that gravitation, and rotary and orbitual force 
are to be substituted for all other agency, how are thdse causes 
to extend influence to his aerial isolated spiral, so as to beget the 
wonderful vortical foree portrayed ? 
78. I donot deem it expedient to enter upon any discussion as 
to the competency of the evidence by which the gyration of 
storms has been considered as proved. By Mr. Espy that has been 
ably contested. I have given some reasons for doubting the ac- 
curacy or consistency of Mr. Redfield’s rey ns, though I 
have no doubt they hav ys ade in p good faith. 
Lhave already alleged, that were Sasa prtew ag proved, I 
should consider it as an effect of a conflux to supply an upward 
Current at the axis. Yet the survey of the New Brunswick 
tornado, made on ¢éerra firma with the aid of:a compass, by an 
observer so skillful and unbiassed as Professor Bache, ought 
tooutweigh maritime observations, made in many cases under 
Cireumstances of difficulty and danger. In like manner great 
credit should be given to the observations collected by Professor 
Loomis respecting a remarkable inland storm of December, 1836. 
This storm commenced blowing between south and east to the 
Westward of the Mississippi, and travelled from west or north 
to east or southeast at a rate of between thirty and forty miles 
