Meteorological PhcBnomena observed at Swansea. 87 



are amongst the reciprocal electrical phaenomena of the clouds, 

 distinct from, though allied to the water-spout, is, perhaps, 

 well-known ; and 1 was myself once witness to an appearance 

 of this sort, between a higher and a lower cloud, that had the 

 strongly electric aspect before they had resolved themselves 

 into nimbus. It was a bent narrow column of dark vapour, 

 which I could distinctly observe to be in rapid rotatory mo- 

 tion, passing from one cloud to the other, continuing for 

 some minutes, and then gradually disappearing. During this 

 time it emitted no sound, and had no visible connexion with 

 the earth whatever. 



The above theory of hail-stones will be further corroborated 

 if we consider the form of the stones in this instance, viz. a 

 sphere flattened at its poles, as the result of a rotatory mo- 

 tion ; especially if it be a law, as perhaps it is, that all solids 

 in rapid gyration acquire per seipsos a rotation on their awn 



^^^^- I am, dear Sir, yours, &c. 



Pulborough, Dec. 16, 1839. P. J. MarTIN. 



XV. Notice of certain Meteorological Phcenomena observed 

 at Swansea. By J. W. G. Gutch, 'Esq, 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 



Gentlemen, 

 'T^HINKING'that the following notice may prove interest- 

 -*• ing to some of your meteorological readers, I forward 

 it for insertion in your valuable publication. 



On the morning of the 20th of November, an unusual rise 

 in the barometer was observable, as sudden as it was great. 

 At 5 p.m. on the 19th, my barometer stood at 29*75 ; at 9 a.m. 

 on the 20th at 29*99, being a rise of 0*24. At 9 a.m. on the 

 21st it sunk to 29*99, being a fall of 0*70 ; and so sudden a 

 rise and fall I have not had occasion to record in my registry, 

 now kept for the last four years. The wind during the whole 

 period was a dead calm ; the weather cloudy and hazy, with oc- 

 casional light showers. A similar phsenomenon was observed 

 by my friend Mr. Addison of Malvern. The sudden fall of 

 the barometer was noticed by that gentleman on the 20th, 

 and the rise on the 21st, and like mine unaccompanied with 

 wind, and at Malvern no rain fell. The explanation of this 

 sudden rise and fall I am yet to learn, and should be glad if 

 any of your correspondents could elucidate the subject. 



On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the most brilliant meteor occurred 

 that has been observed here for a great length of time, illu- 



