378 Report on the Dust Whirlwinds. [No. 4. 



and then, a dense black rainy-like mass was seen approaching from 

 that direction. The wind first struck from N. E. the rain was heavy 

 and the wind became high. It is to be regretted that no good 

 account was kept during the prevalence of the storm. Latterly the 

 wind blew from N. W. and during the evening, the body of the 

 meteor was visible in the E. 



See chart VII. 1853. (Plate XXII.) 



From the manner in which the wind veered in the above storm, 

 we may presume that, 



a. Its motion was from L. to K. 



The following summary of notes refers so far as it extends, more 

 to the prevailing appearance of the sky, and the nature of the 

 weather than to any. particular storm. These notes, taken from day 

 to day state that, 



" On the evening of 25th June, there was a slight haze in the W. 

 at sunset. The 26th was hot and bright (like the previous day) but 

 the haze in the W. at sunset was greater. On the afternoon of 

 27th, a thick dust-storm came on (the whole of the forenoon having 

 been hazy). The wind was E. and did not vary considerably while 

 it lasted. On the 28th the sky was more or less hazy, although the 

 sun was bright during a great part of the day. At gun-fire (a. m.) 

 of 29th a dust-storm again came on from the E. and ceased about 

 5, 30 a. M. The forenoon continued hazy, the wind continuing to 

 blow moderately from the E. till 10|-, when it came on from N. but 

 it did not appear that the current of air was otherwise than straight. 



Every day up to 5th July, presented the same threatening appear- 

 ance of rain as is described above, this appearance taking place at 

 different points of the horizon alternately. The sky continued much 

 overcast with cumuli, strati and cirri ; and at times there was a 

 tolerably severe puff of wind lasting from 10 to 30 minutes, loaded 

 with dust, and cool. 



These " puffs" always appeared to be composed of parallel currents. 

 In the intervals between their occurrence, the atmosphere was close, 

 and gave a sensation of oppression. On the expanse of plain around 

 the cantonments, frequent small whirlwinds were from time to time 

 visible, their track and circular motion appearing to follow no defi- 

 nite direction. It was distinctly evident however that the motion 



