Additional Objections to Redfield’s Theory of Storms. 139 
ed by earth, the principle in question must also pervade the space 
beyond that portion of the atmosphere which is sufficiently dense 
to insulate, or to perform the part of an electric. — 
89. Thus there are three enormous concentric spaces, of which 
the intermediate one is occupied by an electric, while the inner- 
most one and the outer one are occupied by conductors. The 
two last mentioned may be considered as equivalent to two 
oceans of electricity, of which one may be called the celestial, 
the other the terrestrial electric ocean. For an adequate cause 
of diversity in the states of the electric oceans, it must be suffi 
cient to refer to the vaporization and condensation of water. 
The power of this process to electrify, has recently been confirm- 
ed by the electrical sparks caused by the escape of high steam. 
- 90. When either electric ocean is minus the other must be plus, 
and at the same time any intermediate stratum of the atmosphere 
enclosing a stratum of clouds, must be charged by induction if 
not by communication.’ Between the concentric ‘strata of air, 
severally bounding the-celestial and terrestrial ocean, there must 
be an electrical attraction tending to counteract gravitation and 
thus to influence the ea! and pressure of the lower stratum of 
the atmosphere. . 
91. The proximity of a stratum of clouds electrified by the ce+ 
lestial ocean, must cause an accumulation of electricity in any 
portion of the terrestrial surface immediately subjacent; re «| 
counteracting gravitation, cause a local dimination ota atmospt exic 
pressure whichis, it is well wnecines a. ie ai emonstrably 
a cause of wind and rain. 
- 92. ‘Those enormous discharges of hecteicisy which tees 
during hurricanes, may be accounted for by supposing that ‘ 
result from discharges between the celestial and terrestrial e 
oceavs. Thunder clouds may owe their charges not only to the 
vaporization and condensation of water, but also to the celestial 
‘ocean previously charged by that process. Auroras may be the 
consequence of discharges from one part of the atmosphere to an- 
other, through the rare conductive medium which is occupied by - 
the celestial ocean: or they may result from discharges from oth- 
et planets or suns, or from any part of space however remote. 
Since, agreeably to Wheatstone’s experiments, electricity flies 
with a velocity not less than that of light, distance oo create no 
obstacle to its passage. 
oe 
