Abstract
I HAVE, I think, frequently heard the sounds mentioned in the letter sent to you by Sir William Preece; but if the sounds I mean are the same as those there described they are not necessarily associated with low temperatures, though they would be more likely to be noticed when the ground is frozen. The sounds to which I refer are to be heard near palings or sheds made, as they frequently are, with overlapping boards. The explanation I have always supposed to be as follows:—If the ground is sharply struck, with the boot for instance, the sound thus made will be reflected back by the ends of the boards; as each of these ends is further from the listener than its neighbour, the echoes will come back at intervals depending on the distance of the observer from the paling and on the width of the boards; if the boards are of equal width, the echoes will come back with nearly equal intervals between them, thus producing a musical note. If the ground is frozen, the sharp sounds necessary will be produced when walking by one's boot striking the ground; but the same sounds may be produced in dry weather and especially when walking on gravel. I have often observed the musical note, but never where such an explanation would not be possible. Wooden palings are not, however, necessary; I have heard the same thing when walking past iron palings, more particularly, as is to be expected, when the uprights have a square section.
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CAVE, C. Sounds Associated with Low Temperatures.. Nature 65, 512 (1902). https://doi.org/10.1038/065512e0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/065512e0
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