92 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [March, 



or less loud is generally board a few seconds before. In nearly all 

 earthquakes, I have myself felt, such bas been tbe case, and nowhere 

 are such sounds heard with greater distinctness, than when on the sum- 

 mit of a high peak in the midst of a mountainous country, where all the 

 world is in perfect quiet around. The low rumble is then heard for a 

 considerable time before the earth below receives the shock. As many 

 persons believe, and are of opinion that seismic disturbance is connected 

 with atmospheric phenomena, noticeable long before the former force 

 is exerted, I shall in this paper be particular, — though it may appear 

 to some, adding unnecessarily to its length — and allude to the after- 

 noon of the day in question, the 10th January, 1869- 



The day, like 3 or 4 previous ones, had been rather hazy, not at all 

 unusual in these hills at this time of year. The wind about 3 p. m. rose 

 gradually up to about 4-30, blew gustly and cold. It must be 

 remembered by those unacquainted with this locality, that the height 

 is 3,000 feet above sea level, and near the base of a range with peaks 

 rising up to 6,000. There was certainly nothing unusual or peculiar 

 about the appearance of either the sky or the weather, these can have 

 but little connection with forces acting so far below the earth's 

 surface. That the action of an earthquake affects the atmosphere 

 and temperature is almost certain, and I can imagine, that electrical 

 and magnetic forces would be greatly agitated, after it has taken 

 place, or rather during its continuance. There was one thing I 

 did notice, and it is remarkable : a few seconds before the earthquake 

 took place, wanting to make out a Trigonometrical mark on a hill- 

 range some 20 miles distant, I had got out my telescope for the 

 purpose, but it was so hazy that I gave up the hope of seeing even 

 the outline of the ridge. Immediately after the earthquake, on 

 looking in the same direction again, I was surprised at the sudden' 

 clearness that had taken place in the air, the ridge I had been 

 endeavouring to scan, was sharply defined against the sky, and the 

 whole of the western horizon was shewing clear. 



The earthquake was ushered in by one or two long waves of motion, 

 these I estimate from the time noted by the chronometer before the 

 shock was quite over ; in about 20 seconds they were succeeded by 

 others much higher and following in rapid succession, and this was the 

 time of greatest agitation of the surface, followed by great quiet rolling 



