168 PHILOSOPHY OF STORMS. 



Is the same effect produced at sea ? Is there any connec- 

 tion between sudden and very limited breezes at sea and the 

 formation of columnar clouds ? 



If thunder storms occur at night, endeavor should be 

 made to find out whether they originate in the night, or 

 whether they are continuations of storms originating in the 

 day. If they form at night, note whether the columns 

 ascend from middle clouds, or whether they rise from below 

 them. Observe where the electricity first appears in them 

 and at what stage of their advancement, and the whole 

 phenomena as contrasted with storms or rains in the day. 



Circular of the Joint Committee on Meteorology of the Amer- 

 ican Philosophical Society and Franklin Institute. 



132. SIR, It having become highly important, owing to 

 recent investigations in atmospheric phenomena, to ascertain 

 the phases of the great storms of rain arid snow which tra- 

 verse our continent, their shape and size, what direction, 

 and with what velocity their centres move along the surface 

 of the earth, whether they are round or oblong or irregular 

 in shape, and move in different directions in the different 

 seasons of the year, &c., &c., you are respectfully but ear- 

 nestly solicited to procure, in your district, answers to as 

 many of the following questions as possible, and cause them 

 to be transmitted to William Hamilton, Esq., Actuary of 

 the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. 



When did the storm immediately preceding the 19th of 

 March, 1838, commence and terminate ? 



In what direction did the wind blow during the storm? 



Was there much or little rain or snow ? 



Was there much or little wind ? 



If the observer was beyond the borders of the snow or 

 rain, how did the wind blow as to strength and direction on 

 the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th of March ? 



