ELECTRIC PHZNOMENA OF THE ATMOSPHERE. 415 
den explosions, if the periphery of the clouds contains much 
free electricity ; or rather continuous explosions if the conduc- 
tion is feeble, and if the discharge takes place along the con- 
tiguous masses. §§ 54, 55, 56. 
20th. A discharge at one point being followed by a new equi- 
librium, provokes others; it is thus that meteors succeed each 
other, and may become numerous at certain epochs; it is thus 
that simultaneous meteors which succeed each other at short 
intervals are observed in countries distant from each other, me- 
teors which have been frequently taken for the same, on account 
of the apparent simultaneousness of their existence. 
21st. After these restorations of equilibrium, or electric dis- 
charges, the vapours being less repelled, gravity regains its 
influence; they descend, become condensed, and at last dissolve 
into rain. 
22nd. Rain proceeding from resinous clouds is more abundant 
than that proceeding from vitreous clouds; the winds are like- 
wise more sudden and violent, and it is under the induction of 
masses of resinous clouds that tempests and inundations arise. 
