A Curious Phenomenon

Abstract

A VERY curious phenomenon was witnessed here on Wednesday afternoon last, September 4, about three o'clock, in a westerly direction. A somewhat heavy thunderstorm, originating towards the south, had divided its fury before reaching this immediate neighbourhood, one branch passing N.E. towards the Pennine Hills, the other taking the N.W. course, that to the N.E., however, being more violent. As the storm was passing, a stream—apparently of water, and fully six inches in breadth—shot with considerable speed from the vicinity of a dark, fiery cumulus across a rain cloud of a very deep blue, murky tinge. Its passage, as witnessed by my boy from its commencement, was simitar to that of a rocket, at firs assuming a quivering motion, then darting suddenly forward, for some distance horizontally, afterwards obliquely. Its apparent length would be fully twenty yards, being of a very light slate colour. After 1 saw it the phenomenon remained about two minutes; but its total duration would be not less than five, vanishing gradually during its whole length.