Hon. Captain Napier 07i Water-Scouts. 101 
In the case given by Mr Maxwell, the spout must have been ol 
smaller dimensions, and a less terrific appearance than the subject 
of the present paper, and from the very obvious cause of its 
having originated aloft instead of below. 
In the formation of whirlwinds, there can be no fixed or de- 
terminate rule, why a preference should be given to their being 
g’enerated at any one particular altitude between the clouds and 
sea, in preference to another ; and if we take it for granted, that 
they are essential to the formation of water-spouts, or that a 
spout cannot exist without a previous whirlwind, it then natu- 
rally follows, that the dimensions of such a spout must, in a very 
great measure, depend upon the original proximity of the whirl- 
wind to the sea itself, the sea affording a more copious supply 
of aqueous material, than the less substantial fabric of a cloud. 
The water that fell into the foot of the driver, on board the 
Erne^ was certainly quite fresh to the taste, and it will be diffi- 
cult to ascertain when and where the process of distillation was 
eflPectedi In the mean time, however, it may reasonably be 
admitted, that the admixture of the salt-water from the sea, with 
the fresh- water in the clouds, the latter being in far greater 
proportion than the former, is of itself sufficient to account for' 
the chemical change that had thus taken place in so short a 
space of timei 
Whenever we are better acquainted with the effect of coming 
in actual contact with one of these giants of the deep, we shall 
then be enabled to comply with the recommendations inserted at 
the end of Mr Maxwell’s paper; but as there does exist at 
present in the minds of all seamen, a most indescribable aversion 
to any intentional familiarity with meteors of such doubtful ten- 
dency, it may be difficult to find one who shall court a closer 
acquaintance for the mere purpose of sciencoj in preference to 
the usual employment of every individual exertion of getting 
out of the way as fast possible. In case of the ship’s being be- 
calmed, and every thing secured^ and when one cannot do bet- 
ter, as was very much the case on board the Erne, it would be 
well to make every possible remark and observation, but such 
opportunities are said to be of very rare occurrence. 
