36 + Hail Storms. 
imer Tt no doubt has appeared to many a strange circum-- 
_ Stance, that when falling of such large size, they have not been more 
fatal to animals. For if a pebble, or any other solid body of equal 
bulk, was to fall from the same height, we must suppose that its 
velocity, from its specific gravity, would be such as to render its 
effects terrible and destructive. We can only imagine the large hail-_ 
stones that often fall, to have in some way, their specific gravity so 
much lessened as to render the largest of them, comparatively light and 
inoffensive in their fall. This is done, by their expansion in the act 
of freezing, by which means a hollow cavity is. produced, filled with 
air. This air cell, with others attached as they enlarge, greatly les- 
sens their specific gravity. It acts like the air-bladder of a fish, 
which enables him to rise to the surface in deep water, or the air 
Cells in the bones of birds which lessen their specific gravity, so 
much as to assist their flying. 4: Bex 
I first observed this peculiar structure of hail-stones, during a 
short residence in Athens, Ga. in the spring and summer of 1831. 
In May of this year a cloud come over fromS SE. It presented 
the peculiar sea green appearance of hail clouds, and portions of it 
seemed to move in irregular directions, as if acted on by contrary 
currents of wind. It also was accompanied by a considerable wind 
and vivid flashes of lightning. After the rain had commenced falling, 
the wind was to a degree lulled, and Jarge pieces of hail commenced 
falling, and continued to fall till the ground was covered. After the 
storm had passed, I walked into the yard and examined many of the 
stones of the largest size. I was surprised to find in the center of 
each a circular air cell: The annexed figures in the plate represent 
their most common’ appearance. —The largest were a half, or three 
