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IV. — On Lightning and Lightning Conductors. 

 By Mr. William Sturgeon. 



Bead March 21, 1848.* 



1. The subjects of lightning and lightning-conductors 

 have long ceased to be novelties in the history of science. 

 Nearly a hundred years have passed away since these in- 

 teresting topics were first broached in connexion with each 

 other, and they have been objects of great attention amongst 

 the most profound electricians that have appeared within 

 that period. 



2. With respect to the element of lightning, philosophers 

 of all countries have agreed that it is of a purely electric 

 origin; but they have differed greatly in their opinions 

 respecting its operations on terrestrial objects, especially 

 on lightning conductors. Nor has this difference of opinion 

 been limited to philosophers of any particular period : it has 

 existed amongst electricians throughout the whole history 

 of lightning conductors; and, although there is one pre- 

 vailing fashion of conductors in almost every place where 

 they are erected for the protection of buildings — a 

 fashion first recommended by their illustrious author — they 

 have been objected to by electricians of equal standing with 

 Franklin, or perhaps with any other that has appeared 

 interested in their favour ; and, as there does not appear to 

 have been any discussion amongst electricians sufficiently 

 profound to set this important question at rest, it would 



• The period which has elapsed since this paper was read, has enabled 

 the author to insert the additional instances of lightning discharges de- 

 scribed under Cases A, B, and C. 



