CHAP. 7- 1. OP ELECTRICITY. 209 



SECTION I. 



Of the Electric State of the Modifications of 

 Clouds. 



IT is necessary to the present hypothesis, and 

 is indeed conformable to constant experience, 

 to consider Lightning, at least one kind of it, 

 to be the discharge of the electric spark ; and 

 yet, at first view, the reconciling the electric 

 charge of the nimbus, which would be necessary 

 to the effect, with its being the result of the 

 union of two dissimilarly electrified clouds, 

 and consequent neutralization of the two 

 Electricities, seems to involve a contradiction. 

 To explain this, I must observe, that after two 

 differently electrified clouds, whose structure 

 and buoyance depended on the similar electric 

 charge of their particles severally, have by a 

 communication and the intense union of the 

 said particles, formed the dense structure of the 

 Raincloud, the latter cloud, when formed, may 

 acquire a strong charge, for it would be thrown 

 into an opposite state to that of the Earth, or 

 other objects over which it might pass, or to 

 other clouds in its vicinity ; for its acquiring 



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