218 RruPoRT—1840. 
electrolytic compound present in the air, as well as we suppose 
one to be contained in water, and that the electro-negative con- 
stituent, or the anion of that electrolyte, is our ozone. The 
passage of electricity from the points of charged bodies into 
the surrounding air being in fact nothing but the act of the 
restoration of a broken electrical equilibrium, or a current, it 
is not difficult to conceive how ozone is set free near the points 
of emission. Our supposed electrolyte being present in the 
atmosphere, requires only to be placed within the circuit of 
such a current in order to be electrolysed, or to have its anion, 
ozone, separated from its cation. If all these suppositions be 
correct, it follows that the electrolysis of our ozonic compound 
will be most vigorous where the emission of electricity is most 
abundant, and that consequently, at such a spot, the strongest 
smell of ozone will be perceived, and platina or gold acquire 
the highest degree of negative polarity. Now experiments 
prove that such is really the case. 
That the peculiar odour perceived when any terrestrial ob- 
ject is struck by lightning has something to do with ozone, 
cannot be doubted. We have been hitherto profoundly igno- 
rant of the nature of that odour, and everything said and 
conjectured about it by ancient and modern philosophers must, 
in my humble opinion, be considered as totally unfounded. 
We know the fact only, and nothing more. The smell pro- 
duced by lightning is usually described as being either sul- 
phureous or phosphorous. Twice in my life I had an opportunity 
to observe this odour, once in the church of my native place 
(Mezingen in Wurtemberg), many years ago, another time in 
my own house at Basle, only last summer. The second case 
being still fresh in my memory, I shall say a few words about 
it. The object struck by lightning was a small chapel situated 
on the middle of the bridge of the Rhine, and about 200 yards 
distant from my lodgings. Immediately after the stroke had 
taken place, not only my house, but also the houses of my 
neighbours, were filled with a bluish vapour, and a pungent 
smell was perceived. Six hours after the occurrence I entered 
into a parlour which had not been opened all the day, and I 
could still perceive the peculiar odour. My testimony is cer- 
tainly not wanted to establish the fact, that lightning always 
causes the disengagement of an odoriferous principle; but I 
think that, on account of the great mystery which is still hang- 
ing over that phenomenon, the number of observations and 
statements about it cannot be too much increased. The fact — 
related offers, besides that peculiar interest, that the smell was 
perceived at a comparatively great distance from the object 
