
ON ELECTRICAL OBSERVATIONS AT KEW. 187 
ductor to the discharger for at least four or five minutes during the time that 
the storm was at its height. At about 9 the storm had ceased, when the 
charge returned to pos. maximum 45° of Henley. 
Second Storm.—At noon another storm of snow and hail began, when 
Volta stood at 105% pos.; but the charge immediately changed to neg., 
and the Henley again vibrated above 90°, sparks 1,5, inch. The positive 
maximum was about 50° of Henley, sparks ;4, inch. 
Third Storm—At 1" 40™ p.m. a third heavy shower consisting of rain and 
hail began, when Volta stood at 10%" pos., but the charge immediately 
changed to neg., when the Henley vibrated between 60° and 90°, sparks 5% 
inch. The positive maximum during this shower was about 60° of Henley. 
At 2 p.m. very stormy with heavy rain. At 3 p.m. dull and cloudy. At 
4 p.M. heavy snow. From sunset to 10 p.m. dull and cloudy. 
_ GREENWICH. 
First Storm.—At the nearest observation, Jan. 304 22" (Géttingen 9" 20™ 
A.M. Greenwich time), the observer records: ‘A few clouds only here and - 
there: at 8° 5™ a.m. rain and sleet began falling ; and about 85 40™ a.m. snow 
fell thickly, soon covering the ground; it ceased about 95 20™, when the 
clouds broke: wind in gusts to 2, with prolonged lulls.” Negative electricity 
was observed between 7. and 9 A.M. very weak. Wind N.W., force 1 to 7 lbs., 
rain falling occasionally. 
' Second Storm.—Jan. 31¢ 05, Gottingen 112 20™ a.m. Greenwich. Cirro- 
stratus and scud; wind in heavy gusts to 23 and 3. At 11"30™ a.m. sparks 
occurred from 0°05 inch to 0°13 inch in length, 2 in a second. Wind N.W., 
force 12lbs. At this time a sudden squall of hail, wind and rain occurred ; 
in an instant the gold leaf of the dry pile apparatus was destroyed, and in 
removing it the observer received a severe shock. 
Third Storm.—At 1" 20™ p.m. Greenwich time, Cirro-stratus ; wind in 
heavy gusts; squalls of hail and snow are frequent ; occasionally, also, a few 
breaks occur: very dark and gloomy; snow mingled with sleet has again 
begun to fall. Wind N.W., force 0 to 5 lbs. No electricity appears to have 
been observed. 
Between 6 and 9 p.m. negative electricity was observed at Greenwich. 
Wind W.N.W., force 0 to 2 Ibs. Sleet occasionally falling in small quanti- 
ties : strong gusts of wind. 
(*) February 9, 1844.— Cirro-stratus was registered at Greenwich from 
9° 20 p.m. to 5° 20™ a.m. of the following morning; two snow-showers oc: 
curred during this period, one at 11 p.m., the other at 42 10™ a.m., the 
electrometer-bell ringing during their continuance. Electrical observations 
were made between the undermentioned times : 
d hm h m in. 
Feb. 9 10 55 to 11 35 p.m. max. tension 50 Volta (2) neg., sparks o-10 
» 91140, 1154PM. ,, » a0 55) Chui » 0°10 
» 10 410, 426am. 5, » G02 %5,0) Ge 5 » O10 
(‘) February 26, 1844.—We have in the case before us another instance 
(see Sept. 10, 1843) of the electrometers being affected by the approach of 
a eumulo-stratus, and on the present occasion previous to the falling of rain. 
_ It would appear from the ordinary meteorological observations at Greenwich 
that the few drops of rain recorded in the electrometer observations at 
1» 12™ p.m. were succeeded by a heavy squall of rain, which commenced at 
1" 15™ p.m. and continued 10 minutes ; the negative charge continued until 
