LIGHTNING. 27 



A. They only mix together, as grains 

 of sand would do, when shaken in a 

 bottle. When oxygen and nitrogen 

 combine, they do not constitute air, but 

 acid poisons. 



Q. Why does LIGHTNING turn BEER SOUR, 

 although contained in a close cask ? 



A. If the beer be new, and the process 

 of fermentation not complete, lightning 

 will so accelerate the process, as to turn 

 the liquor sour. 



Q. Why is NOT old beer and strong PORTER 

 made SOUR by lightning ? 



A. Because the fermentation is com- 

 plete already ; and, therefore, is not affected 

 by electrical influence. 



Q. Why is METAL sometimes FUSED by 

 lightning ? 



A. Because the dimension of the 

 metal is too small, to afford a path for 

 the electric current. 



Q. Why does LIGHTNING PURIFY the AIR ? 



A. For two reasons : 1st Because 

 the oxygen and nitrogen of the air 

 combine* and produce "nitric acid:" 



* The oxygen and hydrogen are not combined, but simply 

 mixed in the ordinary air; but the lightning causes the 

 mixed elements to combine. 



