232 Van Mons. 



paratus. Electricity forms itself in the air by the combination 

 of light with heat, and changes itself into heat when there is a 

 tendency to change for rain*. The moon may by its reflected 

 light electrify the heat of the atmosphere, and thus excite cold; 

 but it also lowers the temperature by promoting the dissolution 

 of clouds, without contributing to that effect by heat. 



"Will you not make some observations on conducting-rods 

 {paratoimenes) which suljtract from the atmo.fjjhere such enor- 

 mous quantities of electric fluid, which is lost to the globe by 

 being conducted into water, and converted into heat ? It is only 

 since the introduction of these rods, which have been established 

 in general use about 35 years, th.at the seasons have become ir- 

 regular, and that the weather has scarcely been otherwise than 

 unfavourable to a regular vegetation. They occasion the abor- 

 tion of the small storms so necessary to afford rain in summer, 

 and thev derange the great tempests which should mark the trans- 

 ition of the seasons. Under the Austrian regime, in consequence 

 of long droughts and continued rains, the conducting rods were 

 ordered to be taken down, and the weather changed immediately. 

 Since their introduction, storms have also been much more de- 

 structive than they were before. Pcrliaps the Karlem Society 

 will offer a prize on this subject. 



" J. B. Van IMons." 



Annotation by Mr. Singer. 



This synopsis of the meteorological views of M. J. B. Van 

 Mons was obligingly communicated to me by the author, in con- 

 sequence of the annnuncen^ent of mv intended publication on 

 the phaenomena of the atmospliere. Researches of a different 

 nature have of late so closely occu)3ied mv attention, as to ren- 

 der it uncertain at what time I may be able to complete the 

 proposed ^vork^ \\hich will have for its leading object a practical 

 and popular introduction to the means of observing meteorolo- 

 gical phenomena : I have therefore thought it better to give 

 publicity to the opinions of mv learned correspondent without 

 delay, mure especially as n^iy present experiments have as yet no 

 prospect of a speedy termination. 



On the question relating to lightning-rods, and their sup- 

 posed influence in modifying the electric state of the atmo- 

 sphere ; I must obser'se that I know of no facts that authorize 

 such ai: opini<>n, but I do know of many that militate against it. 

 We iiave indeed heard of proposals for procuring or averting 

 storms at pleasure, by the action of pointed conductors ! And 

 more recently it has beeii suggested, that accidents from thunder 



* Lors dcs detcntes aux charigemens enpliiie. 



