86 'THEORY of RAIN. 



nature of fnow ; and it is probably by means of electrical at- 

 traction, that this collection is performed. 



i o. THERE is one appearance more, that often attends rain, 

 and, therefore, mould be considered ; this is thunder, which fo 

 frequently accompanies violent and fudden rain. But, as we 

 are ignorant of any principle upon which electricity mould be 

 the caufe of condenfing aqueous vapour in the atmofphere, this 

 is not the place for examining what may be the effects of elec- 

 tricity, with regard to aqueous vapour condenfed from its ela- 

 ftic ftate, farther than that it is moft reafonable, and alfo con- 

 fiflent with appearances, to fuppofe a more fudden attraction of 

 the condenfed particles of water, than what happens upon other 

 occafions, where even a degree of electrical repulfion may pre- 

 ferve them from immediate contact, and protract the fall of 

 rain, by fufpending the condenfed vapour in form of mifl. 



III. 



