71 



Ordinary Meeting, March 4th, 1873. 



J. P. Joule, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., &c., President, in the 



Chair. 



Mr. Francis Nicholson, F.Z.8., was elected an Ordinary 

 Member of the Society. 



T. T. Wilkinson, F.R.A.8., communicated the following 

 " Monthly Fall of Rain, according to the North Rain Gauge 

 at Swinden, as measured by Mr. James Emmett, Waterworks 

 Manager, Burnle}^, from January 1st, 1866, to December 

 31st, 1872" :— 



Note. — The height of the Rain Glauge is about 750 feet above the level of 

 the sea, and about 18 feet above the ground, 



Mr. Baxendell read the following communication from 

 Mr. S. Broughton : — 



It appears there is some doubt as to the existence of ball 

 discharge in thunderstorms. At the request of Mr. Baxen- 

 dell I communicate an observation of such, seen during the 

 approach of a storm, in 1854 or 1855, when walking from 

 Altrincham to Timperley. 



Over the edge of a cloud near the east horizon a flash of 

 lightning was seen, and a ball apparently the size of one 

 from a Roman candle shot upwards through an arc of 20' or 

 Peoceedings— Lit. & raiL. Society.— Vol. XII. — No. 8— Si:c)Sio>- 1872-3. 



