, 2 ON LIGHTNING. 



the herbage and fmall tliiftles, no higher than the grafs, did 

 not appear to have been finged at all. Thofe in the centre, 

 for about three yards, feemed much lefs injured than thofe 

 nearer the circumference. In two places the foil was turned 

 up, a few feet in length and an inch or two in depth ; and 

 where the ground ceafed to be broken up, one might perceive 

 that the lightning had glanced, with feveral ramifications, 

 along the furface, but under the long grafs, leaving a track, 

 fuch as moles and mice fometiraes make. In one place, where 

 the impreffion made upon the foil was deepeft, and fomewhat 

 refembled the letter V, a ftraight round hole appeared at the 

 angle, which was about two feet deep, and about three inches 

 in diameter. 

 Probability of a After I had left the place, it occurred to me that this hole 

 fallen f^^hc ™'S^^ ^^^'^ ^^®" produced by a ftone falling from the clouds, 

 atmofphere. a phenomenon which has lately caufed much fpeculation. 

 The more I thought of this, the more probable it feemed. 

 The hole was round and perpendicular, at no great diftance 

 from the end of the barn, and a tall tree was alfo near the 

 place ; either of which was more likely to attract the light- 

 ning than the plain field. A very lofty tower, which was 

 ftruck a few years ago, was about three times the diftance of 

 the tree. The thunder was not fo loud as wheh the tower was 

 firuck, but the fmell of fulphur was much ftronger. Thefe 

 confiderations determined me to return the firft opportunity 

 and examine the place more thoroughly. 

 On examination From one caufe or other I could not do this conveniently 

 was found, before yefterday evening, when the farmer and his fan very 

 obligingly went with me, and dug a circular pit about four 

 feet in diameter, having the hole in its centre. At the depth 

 of two feet they came at a fhivery rock of grit, in which I 

 hoped to find the expe6led ftone imbedded ; but when the foil 

 was cleared away level with the bottom of the hole, there was 

 no fuch thing ; nothing appeared but fmall, oblong, fiat pieces 

 of gritftone, through the moift crevices of which the eledric 

 fluid probably efcaped. Though difappointed in the principal 

 part that I hoped to communicate, I refolved to fend you the 

 above, as I think the lightning very feldom defcends fo far into 

 folid ground, uniefs when guided by fome particular conduc- 

 tor. If the account afford you any information or amufement, 



I (hall 



