, 1876-10-04
THE LATE HAIL STORM IN ST.
ST. ELIZABETH. JAMAICA.
From the Gleaner.)

This singular phenomenon is still the daily
talk of that parish, aud it bids fair to become
hore than a nine days wonder, such a sight
being quite a red letter day in the annals of q
lifetime in the tropics.
Our correspondent Informs US that there are
, several curious points for the saVants of meteo-
rology and electricity to marvel, and there is
no doubt some useful information to be culled
therefrom by those who make the phenomena
OF nature their earnest study. The district
over which the hail storm burst has some pecu-
liar features. This valley is ic the form Of IN i'm
mense basin, surrounded by the lofty mountains
Of Manchester, Trelawny, Santa Cruz and
a portion Of ST. James, the average heights
of whose submits would be about 1000 feet
1.-TWO thousand feet A view of this immense
valley, as seen from Spur-Tree Hill, is one Of
the lOveliest sights of Jamaica. Like an im-
mense park, it spreads out in beautiful un-
d~ulations, interspersed with lively green of the
guinea grass, and clumps of the darker foliage
Of forest trees. In this delightful valley are
the famous pens Of Pepper, Goshen, Long
Hill, Chinook and a host of others also the
sugar estates Of Holland, B5gue, Elm, sc. The
central portions of this large district is drain~
ed by the largest river in Jamaica, which, fed
by the numerous mountain streams and tor
rents, makes a naVigable river for boats carry.
ing ~ tons Of cargo for a distance of forty
miles from the mouth at Black River. 4
stream Of this dimension naturally forms a
vast amount ofswamps or morasses, which 10
dry seasons exhalo pestilential vapours, and
cause much sickness 70 the inhabitants of
those low lying places.
These physiological observations will tend
to let the outside reader form an idea of tho
district visited by the wonderful stranger, on
Friday, 8th Sept.
What q singular spectacle to see the yer.
dant tropical fields strewn over with sparkling
masses of lice, g~littering in the bright sun like
a confused heap Of Emeralds and Diamonds.
AS previously stated. The descent of hail was
preceded by loud peals Of thunder, and ex.
tremely vivid flashes of lightning. The hail
fell at FIRST like little round peas then gradu.
ally succeeded those which measured over 2
inches in diameter, Some assume fantastic
forms, irregular shapes %conioal, mushroom,
pentagonal, radiating stars, and some looked as
if they were twisted into spiral forms by a
whirlwind. Where they struck the hard roads,
they rebounded to long distances.
Strict Investigations shew hat the ice must
have been formed at a height not exceeding
500 feet, as above that height there was no
appearance of the icy shower. Therefore this
Vondrous operation was at a height that could
not possibly exceed 700 feet above tue level
of the sea, and more than probable it was
formed at half that altitude.
The size and frmness of the frozen masses
we're matters of marvellous curiosity, while
the poor people who had never beheld Ice ia
any form were lost in establishment. The wise
ones caused it to be picked up and stored
away in their ice blankets or cloth, and they
luxuriated on cocktails, sangarees, beverages
ad h6ituns, and had capital iced water, free,
after dinner. Just fancy an iced punch made
with Creole ice, that fell from the Tropic Clouds.
Not SO small the pieces either, for some were
as large as the closed human fist
Previous to the hailstorm the heat was op-
pressive. The thermometer showed 90 Deg.
Fahr., and during and after the fall of Toe, the
mercu ry sunk to 20 a fall of 90 Deg, in less
than half an hourl