FEARFUL HAVOC. 



125 



Certain it is that waterspouts vary in size and in 

 power; for we read of them passing from the sea to 

 the land, and there rooting up trees, unroofing and 

 overturning houses, dismounting cannon, empty- 

 ing fish ponds, half emptying harbours, and other- 

 wise exhibiting a degree of force that would un- 

 doubtedly sink the largest vessel that ever was . 

 built, if brought thoroughly to bear upon it. 



The rate of motion in waterspouts varies. Some- 

 times they revolve slowly, sometimes with the ut- 

 most rapidity. They often produce violent noise, as, 

 indeed, might be expected ; and they are generally 

 accompanied by thunder and lightning, though not 

 invariably so, for they are sometimes observed when 

 the heavens are clear and the sea calm. 



