PRECURSORY SIGNS OF THE TORNADO. 
73 
leaving the Cape de Verd Islands, we lost it about the 
latitude 14“ North, and longitude 23“ West; after 
which the wind was variable, principally from the S.E. ; 
and on nearing Sierra Leone, we had occasional gusts 
from S.W. with heavy rain. 
The first tornado which saluted our approach to the 
coast of Afi-ica, was on the morning of June the 23rd, at 
8.30 A.M., in latitude 13“ North, and longitude 18“ West. 
It was preceded by all the indications which, to a person 
accustomed to them, would be received as sufficient 
warning. There generally appears at first, a tumultuous 
assemblage of clouds in all parts of the heavens ; these 
gradually — as if by concert — hurry towards the east, 
where they assume their stations ; forming by degrees 
a long low arch, extending about six points of the 
compass. In proportion as the lower edge of this 
becomes more defined, and increases in the intensity of 
darkness, so may the near approach of the tornado be 
expected ; and almost immediately after the complete 
formation of the arch, the squall of wind bursts upon the 
vessel, and woe betide her if sufficient precautions have not 
been taken to avoid the effects of its fury after such ample 
notice has been given. Vessels, the fate of which remain 
unknown, may have been the victims of such neglect ; or 
from having underrated the power of the winds in these 
storms, which indeed have their variations in strength 
and duration ; but they are always appalling, preceded as 
they arc, by a breathless atmosphere, and apparent stag- 
nation in all things, as if mute nature awaited the fearful 
