168 KANSAS CIT\: REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



already been suggested in the manner of north and south movements, dug-outs and 

 cellar-caves will, of course, apply here. Where, as in a village or city a large 

 number of persons are congregated, each intent upon his particular business, it is 

 hardly to be expected that perhaps any perso i would find the time or think of giving 

 any attention to the face of the sky. Should it chance that any person watched 

 the changes of atmospheric phenomena and received indications of the approach 

 of a tornado cloud he might not think it his duty (probably forget it in his excite- 

 ment) to warn others of the impending danger, or provide for more than the 

 safety of his own family. 



Of course in any event it is natural to suppose that he would first secure his 

 own household. This supposed case is a very probable one; at least nine times 

 out of ten we find that towns are devastated without apparent warning and the 

 unfortunate people startled from their imagined security, are killed in their strug- 

 gling efforts for escape. Some provision should be made for the mass of inhabit- 

 ants who are performing their various duties in and out of doors, and who by 

 reason of their peculiar situation or labor could not, if they would, ascertain the 

 prognostics of the sky. 



With regard to this matter I will offer a few suggestions which may not be 

 amiss. On any day when there is presalged in the weather conditions evidence 

 of the probable approach of a violent wind storm, it should be the duty of those 

 in authority to deputize certain intelligent persons, one or more in each ward, the 

 number depending up the size of the town, to watch the character and approach 

 of the storm, and if a tornado, to give timely warning of its advance to the var- 

 ious famihes in their respective wards, and take charge of the removal of persons 

 and property to places of safety. In the matter of warning the various portions 

 of the town, it would probably be to advantage to make use of the church and 

 school bells by ringing them perhaps in a peculiar manner, the character of which 

 to be decided upon by previous arrangement and generally understood. It 

 should be generally known that the persons above referred to, give them what 

 rank, title or emoluments you may, are possessed of special authority while per- 

 forming their duties. They should be cool, brave, active and judicious men. 

 They should completely understand the situation, know precisely what is needed 

 and how to supply it. All pers -ns should at the proper time appreciate the situa- 

 tion of these men and avoid confusion by a strict compliance with orders. I 

 think that it will be clearly comprehended at this juncture, without resort to un- 

 necessary recapitulation, that it will not be necessary for these persons so deputized 

 by the proper authority, to be adepts in the science of meteorology or to take 

 their posts of duty on the ist of April and without removing their eyes from 

 the heavens (except in the event of a tornado) gaze thereon until the ist of Sep- 

 tember. 



The signs (as before described) of tornado cloud formation and approach are 

 distinct and sufficiently suggestive to afford opportunity for timely and concerted 

 action. The time for action will necessarily be limited and the watch need not 

 commence until there is every reason to believe that such a course is absolutely 



