ELECTRICITY. 321 



about as large as common fence-rails, Avliicli formed a circle around the stump ISO 

 feet in diameter. One of these rails is 30 feet long, anotlier 27, and most of 

 tlie otliers about 12 feet long. There were a great number of splinters, three 

 or four feet long, cast outside the circle. 



[The remarkable energ}' exhil>ited in this case, as in others of a similar char- 

 acter, is probal)ly due to the sudden conversion of the sap into highly elastic 

 vapor. — J. H.] 



From G. Wright, Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois, December .5, 1867. 



As I always watch the approach of storms with great interest, I was, in this 

 instance, well repaid for my trouble. The heav\' mass of clouds in the south- 

 west gradually raised, so that the lower edge was distinctly marked upon the 

 falling rain, as is usual in sudden storms. But I observed to those near me that 

 I never before saw the line so clearly defined and so regular ; but suddenly a 

 large mass began to protrude from the rounded outline and approach the earth 

 in the foiTD of a cone, with the apex towards the earth. As we live on the lino 

 of the great tornado, some of my family apprehended the cloud was taking the 

 fearful shape, but as it rapidly approached the earth a vivid flash darted from 

 the lower point, whicli was still rounded, and llie whole mass was quickly drawn 

 up into line again. This was repeated as the shower approached, until the cone 

 d^cended froni the same jiart of the cloud three times, and then, as it began to 

 rain where we were, the outline of the cloud was lost to view. I cannot describe 

 to you the sensation ^\•hich 1 felt as the great mass of dark clouds fell with 

 increasing velocity toward the earth, but it was much like that which one 

 experiences in rolling a large stone from the edge of a precipice. The display 

 was so grand that it will never be forgotten by those who saw it. 



[An account of a precisely similar phenomenon is given in a letter to Dr. 

 Hare, from Z. Allen, of Providence, published jn the Transactions of the American 

 Philosophical Society. The facts are interestiug in relation to the connection, 

 of electricity with tornadoes, of which the descending cone was probably an. 

 incipient one. — J. H.] 



From Charles C. Boerner, Vevay, Indiana, May 26, 1863. 



Jlay 26, lip. m., to 27th, 1 a. m. — Thunder-storm of uncommon violence 

 from the southeast ; wind from the same direction. It was preceded by a strong, 

 gale of 15 minutes' duration; lightning zigzag. The storm raged for 30 min- 

 utes, after which it somewhat abated, and apparently passed away, when sud- 

 denly, at 12 o'clock, a heavy discharge of electricity, accompanied by a terrific- 

 explosion, seemed to startle all nature. In the morning I ascertained that it 

 struck near the market-place; the object was a rack placed there for the hitching 

 of horses. The rack is about 40 feet long, and upon posts (locust) three feet 

 from the ground; on the top rail are 25 iron rings, fastened with sta})lep, and tlie 

 rails themselves fastened to llie posts with heavy iron clamps. This top rail 

 was entirel}' thrown off, antl the posts shattered into splinters; some of them, 

 were scattered in different directions more than 75 feet. The most remarkable- 

 fact is that the place is surroinnled by high buildings, all of whicli escaped 

 destruction. Korthwest, 75 feet from tlie place struck, stands a brick building,. 

 covered with metallic roof, 75 I'eet high ; southward the open market-place ; 

 southeast the market-house, 40 feet high ; and northeast, at a distance of 125- 

 feet, a row of two-story brick buildings. None of these are su})plied with 

 lightning conductors. 



[Electricity, in its discharge from the clouds to the earth, frequently appears- 

 very capricious; but in all cases the discharge is, as it were, predetermined by the- 

 21 s 



