IN THE UNITED STATES. 345 



rolling over in various directions, when the idea 

 of an extensive and rapid conflagration was sug- 

 gested. The alarm bells were rung, and the 

 firemen repaired to their engines. But while all 

 eyes were directed to the black and dreadful 

 column that was approaching, no one could fix 

 upon the exact spot to which efforts should be 

 directed. This uncertainty was soon removed 

 by the desolating progress of the whirlwind 

 through the city, prostrating houses, and waft- 

 ing heavy beams of timber to a great distance." 

 Like most tornados, it was attended with hail, as 

 well as rain. The width of its tract varied from 

 100 feet to 200 yards, in the neighbourhood of 

 New Brunswick ; while three miles eastward it 

 was half a mile wide. A writer in the New 

 York Times states, that on the banks of the 

 Rariton, for 1000 yards, vegetation was scathed, 

 as if a flame had passed quickly over it. 



Many other similar storms desolated different 

 portions of the Union about the same time. 

 " Late in June, Lynchburg, in Virginia, was vi- 

 sited by a tremendous whirlwind and tempest of 

 hail, which was preceded for several minutes by 

 a monotonous rumbling sound, resembling the 

 bass tones of distant thunder ; or the deep roll 

 of the muffled drum ; and reminding us of the 

 ominous notes which precede an earthquake." 

 (Lynchburg Virginian.) Dense black clouds are 

 described as pouring forth immense masses of 



