Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1893 — Showers of Luk. [ARTICLE]

Showers of Luk.

Tho meteorological records of the world chronicle several incontestable instances of black rainfalls, to say nothing of tho most startling phenomena of “showers of blood, blue snows," etc. Professor Barker, in April, 1845, laid before the Royal Society of Dublin some observations on a shower of black rain which fell around Carlow and Kilkenny, extending over an ureu of about 400’ square miles. During the course of his lecture Professor Barker exhibited to the society a specimen of this uncanny shower which, had been sent to him by u friend. The specimen shown in the vial was of a uniform black color, much resembling common black writing fluid. Doctor Barker found, however, that after allowing it to stand for a short period tho black coloring matter separated from the water with which it had mixed, rendering the color of the rain water much lighter, but still dark enough to bo called “black rain.” The shower, which was in broad daylight, was pri ceded by a darkness so dense as to make it impossible for one to rend without the aid of a candle. After this darkness had continued for some time a hail storm set in, attended with vivid lightning, but without the least semblance of thunder. When this hail storm was over the Hack rain began to fall. On examination of the rain immediately after the storm was over it was found to have an extremely fetid smell, as well as a very disagreeable taste. All lightcolored animals and all articles of clothing exposed bore dark spots and st uns, aud cattle refused to drink the water or eat tho gross until after a shower of “real rain" had washed off the block, poisonous matter.—[Philadelphia P;ess.