Mr Smith on a Whirlwind at Roseneaih. 
mage. I was from home at the time, but I send you such par- 
ticulars as I have been able to collect. The day was nearly 
calm, when ^ heavy black cloud was observed about a mile to 
the S. E., nearly at the mouth of the Gare Loch ; it had, or 
acquired a rotatory motion, accompanied by a violent agitation 
in the sea under it, the spray rising to a considerable height ; 
and I have no doubt, had it not been interrupted by the point 
of Roseneath, it would have formed a water-spout. It passed 
directly over this house, raising up all the loose articles that lay 
riear it, amongst others, an iron coal-skuttle, which lay at the 
kitchen-door, was lifted about twenty feet, and carried more 
than a hundred yards into the sea. It broke off several branches 
from the trees which it passed over, and a boat that lay on the 
shore, fastened to a tree, was lifted off the ground, and whirled 
several times round. After passing over the point on which 
this house stands, it crossed the bay towards the Row Eerry- 
house. My cutter, which was moored in the bay, was turned 
several times round ; and a sloop that lay near her drove from 
her anchors. At the Eerry-house it again crossed the land, and 
lifting up another boat which lay dry, damaged it by its fall. 
Erpm thence it proceeded up the Gare Loch, and disappeared 
about two miles above the Eerry. There were several boats 
near it, but fortunately none came within its influence. The 
agitated part of the sea appeared to the work people not to ex- 
ceed the space of an acre, beyond which the sea was as calm 
as glass. I did not learn whether the barometer was affected, 
I am always, my dear Sir, yours most truly, 
Jas. Smith. 
Roseneath, 
August 182 S. J 
Akt. XXIII . — On the Opals of Hungary. By J. S. Beudant, 
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, Member of the Werne- 
rian Society, &c. 
Opal, of which Hungary is in some measure the native coun- 
try, presents a great number of more or less remarkable varieties 
and modifications. Some of these varieties, on account of their 
