361< Report on the Dust Whirlwinds. [No. 4. 



Report on the Dust Whirlwinds of the Punjab. By C. A. Gobdon, 

 Esq. M. D. Surgeon, to Her Majesty' s \0th Foot. 



In endeavouring to furnish a report of the storms, typhoons, 

 cyclones, or whirlwinds that have passed over the station of Wuz- 

 zeerabad during the period from January to July 1853, both inclu- 

 sive, I have considered that the distinctive peculiarities of each will 

 be most profitably discussed, if described at the same time that 

 individual storms are noted ; such general conclusions as may pre- 

 sent themselves from the premises, which will thus in the course of 

 the following observations be developed, being classified and summed 

 up as a sequel to this paper. And I hope the views I adopt regarding 

 the circular current of wind in and general onward motion or track 

 of these storms or cyclones as witnessed in this part of the plains of 

 India will be deemed justified by the nature of the observations from 

 which they have been deduced. 



1. — 7th January, 1853. The sky had a threatening appearance 

 all day, — prevailing clouds, rain cloud, with well defined lower border, 

 dark cumuli and strato cumuli, at 5 p. m. the wind was N. W. 

 afterwards became S. W. the body of the storm being to the S. 

 The violence of the wind was inconsiderable, heavy rain fell, — 

 thunder, with lightning both sheet and forked, — the former being 

 deep pink and the latter flame-coloured. 



It would appear then 



a. That the above storm was nothing more than one of rain such 

 as is of frequent occurrence in these provinces, during the cold 

 season. 



i. That the circular motion of the wind was from L. to E. or 

 with the wound of a watch. 



2. — 23rd Jan. 1853. A slight storm is noted as having occurred 

 at 10 p. m. but no observation in reference to it is made, further 

 than that for several nights prior to its occurrence, a large halo was 

 observed round the moon, interrupted towards the N . and that the 

 storm was followed by weather of great coldness. 



3. — 3rd Feb. 1853. For four days, there had been an increase 

 of nearly 10° in the temperature. On the early morning of this 



