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DRS. T. ANDERRON AXD J. 8. FLETT OX THE EEUPTIOXS OF THE 
the passage of so large a quantity of dust to the east, ovei' Barbados, we have only a 
particularly clear example of the operation of causes which are constantly in operation 
in tlje region in question. 
In Barbados there is a large and very intelligent white population. They were 
all acquainted with the historical records of the fall of ash in 1812, and gneat 
interest was taken in the re-appearance of this phenomenon. We have in conse¬ 
quence a greater mass of exact and reliable information from this island than from 
any other. The rate of fall of the dust, the thickne.ss of the deposit, its total amount 
over the whole island, the variations in its character during the duration of the 
shower, its chemical and mineralogical composition, have all been carefully 
investigated, together with a great number of other less obvious but hardly less 
important particulars. We are greatly indebted to Dr. Mokeis, C.M.G., of the 
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, for the kindness with which 
he placed at our disposal the results of observations made by himself, by the officials 
of his department, and liy many of his friends resident in Barbados. 
i\Ir. W. G. Feeemax, of tlie Imperial Department of Agriculture of the West 
Indies, gives the following account of his observations :—^ 
“ The morning’s paper of the 7th brought the news that the Soufriere, at St. Vincent, was showing 
signs of activity. The morning passed vithout any striking phenomena, except that the weather, as 
on the previous day, was close and uni^leasant. About 2.40 r.n., two loud reports were heard, as if heavy 
cannon had been fired. A man-of-war saluting vdth imusually heavy pieces was the first idea, but no 
similar reports following, the possibility of the sounds having something to do with the morning’s 
telegram presented itself. The more so as in the eruption of 1812 the people here heard sounds which 
led them to suppose a naA’al engagement was taking place ; they even put all in readiness to repel the 
expected French attack. 
“ Soon a dusky cloud arose to the north-westAvard, not like an ordinary rain-cloud, but Anth curiously 
thin edges. This crept gradually up against the vAnd, accompanied by sounds like distant thimder, but no 
lightning. By 4..30 p.v. it AA^as Ami’y gloomy, and the sky Avas completely OAmrcast as far as I could see, 
except, a band to the south-east, Avhich Avas dazzlingly bright. This strip of light Avas at length blotted 
out by the advancing cloud. At 4.30 the first flash of lightning AA'as seen, and at 5.1-5 dust AA-as falling 
fairly fast. The dust shower increased in inten.sity, and at about 7 p.:m. Avas quite heaAy, the particles 
falling Avith a Ioav hissing sound. 
“ Xo rain fell, and there Avas practically no wind. During the night sufficient dampness came just to 
moisten the ash, Imt not to disturb it in any AA-ay.” 
Mr. Freeman collected the ash wiiich fell on three vessels of known area. This 
estimate of the mass of the depr)sit which fell in Barbados, he gives in the following 
statement:— 
“ From the calculated results of a series of obserA'ations made in Strathclyde, on the fall of A'olcanic 
‘ash,’ it would seem that, at a Ioaa- estimate, about 13 ounces fell per square foot betAveen the hours of 
5 P.M. on Wednesday and 5 A.M. on Thursday. This perhaps may not appear a large amount; but look 
at it from another point of aucav ; 13 ounces per square foot means 117 ounces per square yard, and 
to express it in familiar terms in an agricultural community, no less than 16’2 tons gxi- acre. 
* In a letter to Professor J. W. June, F.P.S., dated May 10, 1902. 
