332 PHILOSOPHY OF STORMS. 



and other objects that mark the direction of the wind which 

 prostrated them, are, with a very few exceptions, turned 

 inwards on both sides towards the centre of the track; 

 while near the centre, the direction of the prostrate bodies 

 is coincident with that of the storm. 



2. On more minute inspection, we find prevailing a re- 

 markable law of curvature,. This is most favorably seen in 

 corn fields, as the prostrate corn indicates the course of the 

 wind at each spot, with great precision. The law is this. 

 Commencing on the northern margin of the track, the stalks 

 of corn are turned backward, that is, toward the S. E. ; 

 proceeding towards *the centre of the track, their inclina- 

 tions to the south become constantly less and less, turning 

 gradually towards the course of the storm, until when we 

 reach the centre, they lie to the N. E. exactly in the line of 

 the storm. This curvature is in all cases more observable 

 on the northern, than on the southern side of the track. In 

 the latter case, the stalks of corn lie more nearly at right 

 angles to the course of the storm, (but inclining forward); 

 still, on reaching the centre, they turn to the north east, and 

 become coincident with that course. 



3. Numerous examples are seen where the bodies as they 

 fell towards the centre of the track, or after they had 

 fallen, were turned farther round towards the direction in 

 which the tornado was moving, that is, towards the north 

 east. 



4. The ruins of buildings that were demolished, are scat- 

 tered in nearly a right line towards the centre of the track ; 

 but they frequently are strewed quite across the central 

 parts, reaching in some instances almost to the opposite 

 margin. In this case, they are often found covered with 

 trees, and other bodies lying in precisely the opposite di- 

 rection. 



5. In a few instances very limited spots are found where 

 the prostrate bodies, as hills of corn, lie in all directions. 



