322 MIDDLEMISS : KANGRA EARTHQUAKE. 



character from the many excellent reports sent in from this well popu- 

 lated region. The distinctly vibratory character of the shock is every- 

 where admitted. 



That there were mild preliminary vibrations is testified to by a 

 Preliminary vibra- lar & e numDer of observers, and such have been' 

 tions - characteristically described as quiverings, like pal- 



pitation of the heart or like a dog scratching himself under the bed 

 (the latter simile re-appears constantly in the descriptions). They appear 

 to have lasted for from 3 to 15 seconds. 



There was then a pause, some say of 2 seconds (but others place it 

 as longer) and then followed 2 or 3 violent oscilla- 



Principal shocks. . . - , , . t 



tions or groups of stronger and larger vibrations. 

 Some put these as in very rapid succession, others give 2 or 3 seconds 

 interval between them, the whole lasting 1 or 2 minutes. Where the 

 principal shocks are mentioned as 2 in number, sometimes the first and 

 sometimes the second is regarded as the more severe. The general opinion 

 is that they came from N. to S. or vice versa. The following are 

 among the more characteristic descriptions of the main shock or shocks. 



(1) All sleepers were awakened. 



(2) Motion like a machine sieve worked by an engine. 



(3) Like a steamer dropping anchor. 



(4) Complete period of each vibration i to \ second. 



(5) Violent lateral vibrations at 4 to the second. 



(6) Like strokes of a piston, 150-180 to the minute, as tested by 



watch afterwards. 



(7) An irregular motion, the observer being jerked from side to 



side and then all round for 1 minute. 



(8) As if taken by the shoulders and shaken violently* 



(9) Many were unable to stand or walk properly. Enormous 



trees swayed. Tents lashed as in a gale 

 (10) A large number of small objects, e.g., bottles, glasses, vases, 

 chimney-pots, Indian clubs, a few ornaments and crosses 

 from tombs upset, pendulum clocks stopped, lamps and 

 pictures swung. 



