362 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 
ordinary observation. Of course, a column of air in such swift rotation will tear 
houses down, spurt water up, and do everything of that sort. The particular 
point which I observed in this paper was the description of the formation 
of the tornado. The phenomenon which is to be explained is the forma- 
tion of the tornado, and very few have observed this. This description was 
very short; merely, that, over in the west or southwest, the clouds formed. Of 
course, to an observer from the west, one would appear north, and the other 
south. The point I wish to bring out is, that there was lightning passing between 
the two clouds. In Mr. Finley's description of six hundred tornadoes, I do not 
see any similar account. Many observers have seen lightning play around these 
clouds, but not passing between the two clouds. Mr. Finley applied to me to 
know whether there was anything in the electrical theory of a tornado. Of 
course, any theory of the destruction being caused by electricity, houses being 
attracted, etc., — all that is mere nonsense. We know that the attraction of 
electricity is only a mere fraction of an ounce to the square inch Before the 
force becomes sufficient to raise a great weight, a spark passes, and a discharge 
of electricity takes place. But in this case (these two clouds passing from north 
to south, and boiling up, having flashes of lightning playing around them), I 
thought that there might be something in the electrical theory, as far as formation 
was concerned; and I calculated for the Signal Service and Mr. Finley what 
amount of energy there was in two clouds approaching each other in this way. 
The rotation of the earth will cause them to come together, not in a straight 
line, but a little aside from each other, forming a spiral motion. The direction 
of the rotation of the tornado is a necessary consequence of the earth's rotation : 
so that it might be possible to have these electrified clouds approach each other 
by mutual attraction, and form a tornado at the point where they meet. I calcu- 
lated the energy, and found there was sufficient for a rather small tornado in the 
case I took. I would not be willing to say that is the theory of all tornadoes. I 
say that it is only possible. There is a great deal more energy in a mass of air 
heated up to a considerable temperature, and rising by force of gravitation, — a 
great many times more. If it were not for the electrical phenomena observed in 
the case, I should say there was very little probability of the electrical theory. 
I believe Mr. Finley will direct the Signal Service observers to watch the direc- 
tion of the wind. If it flows in from all directions at the point where the tornado 
is formed, we should determine it to be due to the rise of hot air at that point. 
When the ground is very hot and the air very sultry, we have two causes; and it 
is only by observation that we can find out its true manner. I do not lay very 
much stress upon the electrical theory. But it is an interesting point, to me, to 
notice that flashes of lightning have been observed between these two clouds, 
showing that they were differently electrified, and that there was some plausibility 
for the theory which I sent to the Signal Service. 
Prof. F. E. Nipher continued this discussion the next day, as follows : One 
matter connected with the effects of this tornado contained a point, it seems to 
me, of sufficient interest to call the attention of observers to the matter, in case 
