18 



refeistance than any of the other paths, and naturally the flash follows the path of 

 least resistance. 



But if this wire is removed and another put on with two sharp points stick- 

 ing upward towards the cloud, the flash is entirely prevented. (Fig. 24.) 



If the lighted candle be applied to these points it is blown out as before, conse- 

 quently, the electricity generated by the machine is leaking off these points and 



Fig. 23. — A wire Is put along the ridge, touching the chimney and going down 

 to the ground plate at each end of the house. The flash now goes down this 

 wire, and the woman is safe at rain barrel, under balcony or at screen door. 



Fig. 24. — If, however, wire has uprights 

 and points no flash can be produced, 

 which is better still. 



Fig. 25. — Barn with hayfork track, 

 fired by flash. If track had been grounded 

 current would have followed ground 

 wire, and no flre would have occurred. If 

 points had been used flash would have 

 been prevented. 



gradually neutralizing the opposite charge in the space between the cloud and the 



Here is a barn with cupola and hay-fork track. The flash enters the cupola, 



jumps to the track, and thence down at one end of the barn. If a little gasoline is 



put in the door at the end ©f the barn it is at once fired, just as hay would be. 



(Fig. 25.) As in previous cases, the wire without points will carry the stroke off 



