1847.] Examination of some Atmospheric Dust. 193 



Examination of some Atmospheric Dust from Shanghae, forwarded to 

 the Asiatic Society of Bengal by D. J. Macgowan, Esq. M. D. 

 Ningpo Hospital, by Henry Piddington, Curator Museum of 

 Economic Geology of India. 



Shower of ashes or dust. 



To H, Torrens, Esq. Vice-President and Secretary of the Asiatic Society. 

 Ningpo, June 5th, 1846. 

 Sir, — I beg to enclose for the Meteorological annals of the Asiatic Society, 

 the subjoined communication from Mr. Bellott, the scientific surgeon of H. M. 

 Ship Wolf. I have been unable to obtain any information from men, or 

 books, in relation to showers of ashes (such things readily escaping the notice 

 of Chinese observers) though from the proximity of this part of the coast of 

 China, to the volcanic chain which girts the eastern and southern shores of 

 Asia, and the force of the N. E. Monsoon, phenomena of this description 

 might be occasionally expected. I have however learnt from Dr. Robertson 

 of H. C. Steamer Nemesis (stationed at this port) that on the day in question 

 (viz. 15th March,) he and some other officers noticed similar appearances to 

 those described by Dr. Bellott, vegetation being covered with sand, and parts 

 of the vessel, and the atmosphere misty. Wind was N. E. At the time I was 

 absent at Chusan, where I am not aware that any sand or dust was perceptible. 

 If I may presume on an opinion I should refer the phenomenon to volcanic 

 action, and probably emanating from Mount Fusi, on the island of Niphon, the 

 chief of the Japan archipelago. The altitude of Mount Fusi is about 14,000 

 feet, and it is regarded by the Japanese with awe, and wonder. Ksempfer says, 

 that " Poets cannot find words, nor painters skill and colours sufficient to 

 represent it as they think it deserves." It is subject to frequent eruptions, 

 accompanied with earthquakes, which have destroyed vast numbers of villages. 

 In the eruption of 1707, cinders were carried ten leagues, and ashes fell seve- 

 ral inches thick at Dezima. The phenomenon referred to, although occurring 

 in the remotest field of the Society's domain, is not, I think, without some 

 degree of interest. I forward the small packet of sand transmitted to me by 

 Mr. Bellott. 



Yours very truly, 



D. J. Macgowan. 



Copy of a letter from Thomas Bellott, Esq. Surgeon R.N., Fellow of the Royal 

 College of Surgeons, to Dr. Macgowan. 



H. M. Ship Wolf, Shanghae, March \6th, 1846. 

 My dear Sir, — I transmit an account of a descent of fine sand that 

 occurred at this place yesterday. On the 15th, the wind was N. N. E. in 



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