TORNADOES. 16 x 



usual power in the operation of the tornado cloud, to this one member of the 

 category of physical forces. Of course it is the easiest way to get rid in a difficult 

 problem. 



If a hurricane did similar work I dare say that the electrical (final and all- 

 satisfying) cause would not be thought of. It being generally accepted that little 

 is yet known of the peculiar nature of electricity, there would be comparative 

 safety in assigning the cause of a strange atmospherical disturbance to its wonder- 

 range of power, feeling satisfied, that for a considerable time at least, there would 

 be no probability of a decided advance into the analysis of such a relation. The 

 funnel-cloud is a mere collection of clouds of the same rarity as the mass from whence 

 they are drawn. Its descent is evidently the mechanical effect of the whirhng 

 currents of air accompanied by the rapid condensation of vapor. Even if elec- 

 tricity is present there is no requirement of its intervention to produce the force 

 required. It is plainly evident that the movement of a current of air at the rate 

 of from 200 to 500 miles per hour is sufficiently powerful to demolish the strongest 

 buildings, lift a piece of iron or if necessary distort its shape. This subject is 

 considered more at length in my published Report of the Tornadoes of 1879. 



Means of Protection. — First in regard to life. How can you save your 

 lives or avoid the terrible injuries that often fail to result in death, but from which 

 there is no respite while life hangs on ? Much will be offered you in the solution 

 of this vital problem from the results already permitted in a careful analysis of 

 the facts now at hand . Perhaps it is more than you expect, perhaps it is less, 

 but at least it is all that past or present investigation will sustain. In regard to 

 this question much, if not everything, depends upon the manner and in what 

 direction a person moves, together with the distance of the tornado cloud, its di- 

 rection and the kind of motion prevailing at the instant you determine upon chang- 

 ing your position. 



We will now suppose the various conditions and proceed to point out the 

 necessary action in each instance. In all cases it is granted for sake of con- 

 venience in illustration, that you are in front of or situated directly in the 

 line of the advancing tornado cloud. Under these circumstances if No. II or 

 the progressive motion of the cloud is prevailing and your distance from it is say, 

 eighty rods or more, move directly and with all possible dispatch to the norths 

 Whenever this motion is prevailing always run to the north, unless in so doing 

 you would be obliged to cross the entire path of the storm. A sharp glance to 

 the westward will tell you whether you are about on the southern edge of the 

 probable path of the tornado cloud, or more to the north. If in the centre 

 or halfway between the centre and the southern edge, your chances are best in a 

 direct course to the north. If further to the south, move directly and very rapidly 

 to the south, bearing slightly east. In no event should you ever run directly to the 

 east or northeast. Suppose the tornado cloud to be distant from you (W, or 

 SVV.) eighty rods and its progressive velocity sixty miles per hour, it would follow 

 that one mile is passed in sixty seconds or eighty rods in fifteen seconds. As- 

 suming the average width of the destructive path of the tornado cloud to be forty 



