188 ON A REMARKABLE SHOWER OF HAIL 



west of south, and occasionally rising into a breeze. Between 

 twelve and one o'clock, thunder and lightning began ; and 

 after these had continued with little intermission for about an 

 hour and a half, a very dense jet-black cloud forcibly attracted 

 attention by its foreboding appearance. Mr Taylor was in 

 the upper part of his house when he first observed this black 

 cloud, apparently rising from the sea, at the distance, he 

 thinks, of about five or six miles. It then seemed of no great 

 dimensions ; but its magnitude was gradually developed, as it 

 approached steadily, and apparently with increasing velocity, 

 from the southward, in a direct line toward the centre of 

 the island. It now assumed a dismally ominous aspect, 

 and occasioned a considerable degree of darkness. The 

 lightning became proportionally more vivid, and the peals of 

 thunder were tremendous. Mr Taylor remarked one flash of 

 lightning to be not only brighter than the rest, but to exert a 

 more extensive influence on the cloud, which seemed as if 

 cleft asunder, and presented a momentary opening of the 

 prospect between the Mainland of Orkney and the island of 

 Stronsa. The thunder-bolt on this occasion seemed to strike 

 the surface of Stronsa Frith in the maimer of a solid body 

 dashing into the sea. 



Richard Caithness was engaged in the making of kelp 

 on the shore, when he perceived the cloud advancing fast 

 towards his own farm-steading. He immediately hurried 

 home. At this time the wind began to rise ; the sur- 

 face of the sea was greatly ruffled ; and darkness like that of 

 night threatened to come on. Just as he reached his house, 

 the cloud overtook him. The lightning was now instantane- 

 ously followed by noises, like the firing off of " guns in Stron- 

 " sa Caves." Hailstones of very uncommon magnitude began 

 to fall. The first large hailstone which Mr Caithness saw, 



came 



