LIGHTNING. 7 



A. Yes; they often run a considera- 

 ble way along the ground, then stop 

 for a little time, and burst in numberless 

 pieces : sometimes each of these pieces 

 will explode ; and at other times, the 

 whole ball will burst at once, producing 

 most mischievous consequences. 



Q. What mischief will these balls of fire 

 produce ? 



A. They will set houses and barns 

 on fire ; and kill all cattle and human 

 beings, which happen to be in their 

 course. 



Q. Why does LIGHTNING sometimes KILL men 

 and beasts ? 



A. When the electric current passes 

 through a man or beast, it produces so 

 violent an action upon the nerves, that it 

 destroys life. 



Q. WHEN is a person struck dead by light- 

 ning ? 



A. Only when his body forms a part 

 of the lightning's path : i. e. when the 

 electric fluid (in its way to the earth) 

 actually passes through his body. 



