Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1871-04-01
The Theory o oltao.aie Tornndo

The Theory tisceaie TORNADO,
The theory Of the formation of
whirlwinds, that they arc gcnorated
by the contgctofopposing currents Of
mir, is well established, and so far rs
it goes, satisfactory but science has
yet failed TO account for many Of
their attendant phenomena. 1t yet
romans IL wonderful mystery
whence or by what law the tornado
acquires its terrible momentum, or
how originate its varions internal
energies; for not only dow we find the
spiral motion operating within the
inverted conc, but lateral forces that
propel outward, and vertical forces
that propel downward. 1t has been
frequently noticed that where tho
framework Of & building has been
twisted into n shapcless mass, the
boards that enclosed it have been
scattered in all directions, some
driven porpendicuIarly into tho
ground like palisades, and others
shot horizontally toa great distance,
and with power sufficient to pene-
trate even tho trunks Of solid trees.
In one instance, observed by the
writer, whore huge oaks were pros
tratcd in II forward direction, indi-
eating the result of u direct hurri-
cano, small saplings in the immcdi-
ate vicinity were graspod os in q
revolving vice and split into
strands. Wagon wheels We're car
ried for miles by one element of tho
storm, and their spokes cleaned off
at the hub by another. Timbers
were lifted to an imrncnse height
in the air and dashed with incon-
ceivablc violence TO the ground; all
indicating the presence and conflict
Of a variety oftorcos operating with
in the same phenomenal limits.
The storm of Wednesday, altho'
developing in its destructive pro-
gress the genuine characteristics OF
the tornado, was remarkable be-
yond all known precedent for its
terrific, propulsive power, whereby
the usual results Of the rotary mo-
ton were to somo extent overcome,
or at least not so well defined as is
frequently the case. The sudden
collision of the atmospheric currents
that produced it, seems to have tn
ken place at u considerable height,
and the bent cone of wrath that fol-
lowed the contact to have been shot
with almost the velocity Of light
ming upon its errand Of dosolation,
descending to the river front and
ricochetting like cannon ball mp
on its course. This is apparent
from the spaces here and there
along its pathway that escaped the
dip of its relentless apex where in
tervening localities upon the same
level were swept Of every obstruc-
tiun. The evidences Of rotation, as
we have stated, are not conspicuous
until the .cottonwoods are reached,
north of the Toledo, Wabash and
Western road, where it will be OBJ
served the trees nearest the river
are inclined TO the east, while those
but a few rods distant arc bent TO
the west, as if in responsive saluta-
tion one TO another. 1t is not true
that tornadoes move always in a di-
rect line, although here the defec-
ton from the abutment pier Of the
bridge is but slightly eastward. 1t
is a peculiarity Of wbirl-winds,
moving with less speed, that while
following the general conrse Of the
main curreut Of air, they frequently
divsrge this way and that from a
straight line, sOmetimes rising
above the earth for a long distance,
and again gravitating toward II
All things considered, the recent
storm is one of the most singular,
ns well as violent that ever Occnr-
red in this part Of the cOuntry-
There is avideBoo ample 70 sustain
IN il the commonly received theory
Of the tornado, b8t the intensity oi
rs energies, Wherever they were