THE NATCHEZ TORNADO. 343 



there were no sufficient openings to let out the expanded 

 air, the roof, or some other part of the house gave way, 

 most generally to leeward. 



The quantity of rain that fell during the passage of the 

 tornado over the city, was only 83.100 of an inch, holding 

 in suspension so much mud and minute particles of leaves 

 and other vegetable matter as to be impervious to sight, and 

 leaving a thick coating upon whatsoever it came in contact. 



This brief account of the tornado will be closed by pre- 

 senting to those who are skilled in the physiology of plants 

 for further investigation, the following facts. 



The effects of the storm upon the leaves and buds of 

 plants was in a manner to sear them, abstracting or destroy- 

 ing so much of their vitality, that such as did not die out- 

 right, were crisped, and their growth so suspended, that 

 it was for ten or more days before they resuscitated and 

 began again to grow. Some very thriving grape cuttings 

 in the garden of the writer of this paper, were killed, and 

 the old vines stunted. Even the leaves of the succulent 

 Morus Multicaulis appeared as if an eastern sirocco had 

 passed over them. A luxuriant arbor vita in the writer's 

 yard appears blighted and dying. Fruit trees and grass and 

 weeds put on the same appearance. H. TOOLEY. 



Storm at Natchez Interesting Particulars Esptfs Theory. 



181.' We are kindly allowed to make an extract from a 

 letter of Professor Forshey, at Natchez, to Drs. Dodge and 

 Warder, of this city, giving some interesting facts in rela- 

 tion to the storm at that place, and its bearing on the theory 

 of Mr. Espy. The reader will find among them, some 

 things, which, if we mistake not, have never been deter- 

 mined before by accurate observation. The fact of the 

 outward explosions of houses, desks, &c., is to us a curious 

 phenomenon. Cincinnati Gazette. 



