Rotary Action of the Providence Tornado. 263 



If it be true, "that moist, foggy or cloudy air is not a conduc- 

 tor of electricity," [93, etc.] does it not follow that any "con- 

 vective discharges" will seem to be confined solely to the vibra- 

 tory or alternating motions of the air itself It appears incon- 

 ceivable, how the air, either in mass or atoms, can exhibit such 

 movements of transfer and with all the power and velocity of a 

 hurricane, either in one direction only, or in opposite directions, 

 at a given time and place. Besides, an effective vibratory action 

 between two distant surfaces with both which the vibrating 

 body is in full contact, appears impossible. Nor would even 

 such alternating action enable the convective discharge to pass 

 through the vibrating stratum of air. — These passing remarks, 

 however, as already suggested, are not needful for sustaining my 

 views of whirlwind storms against the animadversions of my 

 opponent. 



Since the discoveries of Franklin, an electrical origin and char- 

 acter has often been conjecturally ascribed to storms. A want of 

 originality in advancing this electrical hypothesis, will not weak- 

 en any evidence which shall be adduced in its favor ; but, until 

 it shall have been satisfactorily supported by observed phenomena, 

 it will probably continue to be rejected by scientific inquirers. 



There seems to be an evident improvement in Dr. Hare's 

 views of whirlwind action, since entering upon this controversy. 

 Nor do I doubt that the subjoined notices of the effects of the 

 Providence tornado, as observed " on terra jirina with the aid of 

 a compass," will receive from my readers -9 impartial conside- 

 ration. 



On the Evidence of a general Whirli7ig Action in the Provi- 

 dence Tornado. 



On the 30th of August, 1838, between the hours of 3 and 4 

 P. M., a violent whirlwind or tornado visited the town of Provi- 

 dence, in the State of Rhode Island. It was preceded by a vio- 

 lent shower of rain of short duration, after which the tornado ap- 

 peared, appended to another cloud, and passed through the south- 

 ern part of the town nearly from west to east. 



Its earliest ravages reported, were in Johnston, at the farm of 

 Mr. Randall, about seven miles west from Providence. From 

 this point it passed on through Cranston and Providence, where, 



