52 Mr Rowell on the Phenomena of Evaporation. 
Before I endeavour to explain the various phenomena in 
question, by this hypothesis, I would direct attention to some 
of the acknowledged properties of electricity, namely: it 
has no weight, occupies space, and is dependent on the surface 
rather than the bulk of bodies ; and also to the rapid increase 
of the surface of bodies, in proportion to their bulk, as their 
bulk diminishes ; thus, adopting the ;,15> part of an inch as 
the diameter of a particle of vapour, and the 3}; part of an 
inch as the diameter of a drop of rain, it would take 8,000,000 
particles of vapour to form one drop of rain ; but the surface 
of the rain drop would only equal that of 40,000 particles of 
vapour, therefore, the surface and consequent capacity of 
each particle of the vapour for electricity, is 200 times greater 
than that of the rain-drop, bulk for bulk; and as we have no 
means of judging what is the real diameter of a particle of 
water, it is probable that it is much smaller than the diame- 
ter I have adopted, and, therefore, has a much greater capa- 
city for electricity, proportionate to its bulk. 
Thus it will be seen, that if electricity coats the surface of 
bodies, there must be some point at which the surface of a 
body would be so great in proportion to its bulk, that this 
coating of imponderable matter would render it buoyant. 
I will now endeavour, as briefly as possible, to explain the 
phenomena by this hypothesis. 
As heat expands the particles of water, it increases their 
capacity for electricity; therefore, all other circumstances 
being alike, the greater the heat the greater the evaporation. 
Evaporation must depend on the surface exposed, and not 
similarly electrified (either positively or negatively) recede from each 
other to considerable distances, I believe, may be attributed to the in- 
fluence of surrounding objects; thus, if a globe be charged, it will at- 
tract, and be attracted, in all directions ; now, if the globe be so fragile, 
as that this attraction is sufficient to separate it into minute fragments, 
these having no attraction for each other, would be attracted apart by 
surrounding objects, and not dispersed through any repulsion amongst 
themselves. My views may be wrong, but I cannot otherwise account 
for the collection of particles of vapour into clouds, especially when 
highly charged, as in thunder-storms. 
