406 Scientific Intelligence. — Meteorology. 
trees ; from twenty to thirty trees were overturned and laid in 
different directions, in such a manner as to prove that the mo- 
tion was rotatory ; others were lifted up and hung, together with 
several tops, upon the higher branches of trees from 60 to 70 
feet high. After this, the whirlwind traversed a distance of two 
leagues without touching the ground, carrying with it very 
large branches of trees which it threw out on all sides with noise. 
Having come to the elevated point of the wood of Fauquem- 
bergue, it tore oft* the heads of several oaks, which it was seen 
to carry along with it above the village of Vendome, situate at 
the foot of the hill on the east side of the wood. It did no other 
injury in this commune than that of lifting with its root a very 
large sycamore, in a meadow belonging to M. Degrosseillers ; 
the tree was found at the distance of 600 yards. Continuing 
its course in the manner of a ball which strikes the earth and re- 
bounds again, the whirlwind proceeded to the village of Audinc- 
tan, where it threw down the roofs of three houses and lifted up 
several trees; among others five elms of very large size, all grow- 
ing from the same root. On leaving the valley in which these 
two last villages are situate, the whirlwind rose upon a moun- 
tain, named de Capellc. Several country people who were at 
work, saw with terror this extraordinary phenomenon pass over 
their dwellings. They were immediately struck with a sense of 
the danger, but had only time, in order to avoid it, to lie down 
and keep fast hold of their plowing instruments. They remarked 
with astonishment that their horses were disquieted, but did not 
take fright. The sock of one of their ploughs was buried in the 
earth deep enough to resist the efforts of three horses, and to 
prevent its being injured, they employed a pick* axe in extract- 
ing it. It was from these labourers, who were so situate upon 
the mountain as to see the whirlwind arrive and continue its 
course, that its form and size were learned, as well as the sup- 
posed elements which may have entered into its composition. 
The form was oval, the length appeared to them about 30 feet, 
the other diameter might have been 20. It turned round in its 
progress such a manner as to present each of its faces to all 
the points of the horizon. There issued occasionally from its 
centre balls of fire, and often also globes of sulphureous vapours. 
Both of them cast out, in different directions, branches which 
