xxxi MARVELLOUS EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING 79 



the wine frozen, but the stiffness does not last for 

 more than three days. There are other no less 2 

 notable effects of lightning. The head of man or 

 other animal struck by it always points in the direc 

 tion whence the lightning issued : the twigs of all 

 trees that are struck rise straight up in the direction 

 of the lightning. Let me add, too, when venomous 

 serpents or other animals whose bite is fatal are 

 struck with lightning, all the poison disappears. 

 How, you say, can I tell that ? In the dead bodies 

 of poisonous animals worms are not produced. But 

 when struck with lightning they breed worms within 

 a few days. 



XXXII 



LIGHTNING portends the future, too. Nor do the i 

 signs it gives refer to only one or two events. 

 Often a complete series of fate s succeeding decrees 

 is intimated, with proof, too, plain to demonstration, 

 far more distinct than if it were recorded in writing. 

 There are differences of interpretation, however, 

 between our countrymen and the Tuscans, the 

 latter of whom possess consummate skill in the 

 explanation of the meaning of lightning. We 2 

 think that because clouds collide, therefore lightning 

 is emitted ; they hold that clouds collide in order 

 that lightning may be emitted. They refer every 

 thing to the will of God : therefore they are strong 

 in their conviction that lightning does not give an 

 indication of the future because it has occurred, 

 but occurs because it is meant to give this in 

 dication. Whether the indication is its purpose 

 or its consequence makes no difference in the 

 method of its occurrence. How, then, do they 



