346 Rev. W. D. Convbeare on the probable 



In conclusion, it may be remarked, that these phenomena 

 have been little noticed in this country, and for the reason, 

 perhaps, that mountains of considerable magnitude are not 

 abundant in England ; nor are thunder-storms so common 

 here as in tropical countries, or during the very hot months 

 in North America*. 



J. Hancock. 



LVIII. On the probable future Extension of the Coalfields 

 at present worked in England. By the Rev. W. D. Cony- 

 beare, M.A., F.B.S., 8fb. 



[Continued from p. 1G3.] 



WE have already traced the carboniferous beds reposing 

 on the eastern flank of the great anticlinal line of the 

 Pennine chain through Derbyshire as far south as Notting- 

 ham ; and we concluded with the observation that it appeared 

 desirable to endeavour to ascertain its prolongation in this 

 direction south of the Derwent. 



Mr. Sedgwick has lately ascertained that the transition 

 chain of Charnwood Forest forms an anticlinal line ranging 

 from north-west to south-east f; and he considers the carboni- 

 ferous limestone of Breedon, &c, as resting against the western 

 slope of this anticlinal in its extension northwards, so that it 



* We have deemed it right to give insertion to Dr. Hancock's paper, 

 because the error which he refutes is still widely prevalent ; but meteoro- 

 logists, we believe, have for some time been aware of the true nature of 

 the phenomenon in question, in proof of which we may cite the following 

 passage from Mr. Luke Howard's " Climate of London," (Second Edition, 

 vol. ii. p. 309,) with which, however, Dr. Hancock is evidently unac- 

 quainted. 



" Summer Lightning. — It is a popular error, very commonly entertained, 

 that on fine summer evenings there is sometimes a harmless kind of light- 

 ning without the usual accompaniments of dense clouds and electrical ex 

 plosions. The mistake has originated in the great distance at which light- 

 ning may be perceived in a dark night." 



" Seventh Mo. 31. [July 31, 1813.] — I perceived much faint light- 

 nine in the S.E., although it was bright starlight, and not a cloud visible 

 at the time. On communication with my brother, who was then at 

 Hastings, he informed me that they had on the above-mentioned evening 

 a heavy thunder-storm in view for some hours, ranging, as he conceived, 

 in a line between Dunkirk and Calais on the opposite coast. It is probable, 

 therefore, that the greater part of the discharges, the faint light of which 

 was perceptible at Tottenham, were actually made at the distance of a 

 hundred and twenty miles. I saw, however, one stroke with the usual 

 linear zigzag appearance, which I judged to proceed from the earth to the 

 clouds, and which may have been a returning stroke far on this side of the 

 storm." See also p. 45. of the same volume of Mr. Howard's work for 

 additional evidence on the subject, well understood by the author, in con- 

 formity with the explanation here quoted.— Edit. 



\ See Lond. and Edinb. Phil. Mag. for January, p. GO. — Edit. 



