r 475 ] 



teds forei-n to meteorology. In the atmofphere, meeting with 

 inflammable air, as in thunder ftorms, it is often converted into 

 water by the eledric explofion, and thus precipitated ; and thus 

 mo^ fery meteors are formed. 



The ehark fluid h generally precipitated either fuddenly during 

 eledric explofions, or gradually and filently by the diminution of 

 caloric and the fall of de-wov rain. It is thefe laft precipitations 

 which I now mean to examine ; and as I afcribe them to eledric 

 agency, it will be neceiTary to lay down thofe pmnciples of atmof- 

 pheric eledricity which are moft generally adopted by eledricians, 

 and the confequences that appear to me clearly deducible from 

 ^ them. 



Section I. 



Of Atviofpheric Ele£lricity. 



\^. Mere atmofpheric air is an idio-ekaric, or non-condudmg 

 fubftance. 



2*^. Air holding water in folution is alfo a nonicondudor, and 

 fo murh the more perfeaiy fo, as, relatively to the degree of heat^ 

 it.poffeffes, it is farther removed from the point of faturation, 



and 



