SINGULAR PHENOMENA OF NATURE.
We learn from an exchange of a most remarkable phenomenon at Scottville, Ill. In digging in several localities near that place after a depth of five or six feet has been attained, fire breaks out, and continues blazing. What it is caused by, puzzles the citizens of that vicinity, and is a mystery to all. Some farms are said to be already seriously injured. The Abingdon Virginian says that about 11 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 22, many of the citizens of Washington and Smyth counties were startled by a loud report, and a succeeding rumbling sound, somewhat like distant thunder, which, in some localities, produced jars and rockings, such as usually accompany earthquakes. Near the base of the Iron Mountain, some twelve or fifteen miles southwest of Abingdon, the noise, as well as the apparent commotions of the earth, were absolutely alarming. The Appleton (Wis.) Post states that on Sunday night, Feb. 27, at a little past midnight, while snow was falling fast, three bright flashes were seen at a few minutes' interval, all within fifteen minutes. The flashes were like lightning, and followed by heavy concussions that made the windows rattle, and houses jar throughout the city. Next morning, there was found in the snow a dark substance, visible for miles around. This, on dissolving the snow, was found to be a fine, reddish sand. Those who melted snow for washing or ordinary purposes, found this sand in such quantities as to make the water unfit for use. The Lafayette (Ind.) Courier says that at about half-past eight o'clock, Friday evening, Feb. 28, the entire skies being wholly overcast with clouds, and a deep darkness prevailing, a considerable section above the western horizon was suddenly illuminated as if with the reflection of a prairie fire, and, from the center of this, a narrow perpendicular shaft of glowing red light was displayed, reaching more than half way to the zenith. This shaft showed in strong relief against the surrounding skies, and resembled the tail of a comet, except that it was of an uniform width throughout its entire length. After remaining visible about ten minutes, during which time it heightened and waned in its brightness—the shaft and the diffuse glow at the base faded away. The peculiarity of the long narrow shaft precludes the possibility that the spectacle was a mere reflection of a fire on the surface of the earth; neither could it have been a part of an aurora borealis, for in the course of an hour the northern skies became clear, and there was no sign of that phenomenon apparent. A very similar display was witnessed in Northern Ohio, the week previous to that mentioned above. PHENOMENON AT NIAGARA FALLS.—It is stated that at Niagara Falls, during a recent storm, the strong easterly gale sent the waters of Lake Erie westward, leaving the Niagara River and tributaries lower than were ever known before. Buffalo Creek was so low that all the vessels in it were grounded, and Niagara Falls was a rivulet compared with its native grandeur. The bed of the American branch was so denuded that you could travel in its rocky bed without wetting your feet, and mysteries that were never before revealed, came to light on that day. Rocks that were heretofore invisible appeared in their full grown deformity upon the surface, and great was the consternation among the finny tribes.—The Three Sisters were accessible to foot-passengers, and many traversed where human foot had never trod, with perfect impunity and dry feet. Below the falls was the wonder of wonders. The water was full twenty feet lower than usual, and the oldest inhabitants gazed in wonder at the transformation. Near Suspension Bridge, the celebrated rock at Wiener's mill, upon which a drowning man caught and was rescued several years ago, which barely projects its head above the water, was laid bare 20 feet above the surface. Suffice it to say, the wind subsided that evening, the waters returned to their wonted haunts, the fish breathed freer, the rocks again hid their diminished heads, and the roar of the cataract resumed its ancient tone, and the waters rushed onward to the sea. Niagara was herself again. From another exchange we clip the following: A torrent of boiling water burst up through the shaft of an artesian well, which was being sunk at La Crosse, Wis., scalding several men, melting off the snow for some six acres, and boiling things generally.