SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS. 283 



Safest places in a thunder storm. 



Because the electric fluid will sometimes run down 

 a watt, and (as the body of a person is a better conduc- 

 tor than a wall) would leave the wall and run.' down the 

 body. 



184:4 Why is it dangerous to be in a crowd during a thunder storm f 



For two reasons : 1. Because a mass of people forms 

 a better conductor than an individual', and 



2. Because the vapor arising from a crowd increases 

 its conducting power. 



1845 Why is the danger increased by the vapor which rises from a 

 crowd? 



Because vapor is a conductor, and the more conduc- 

 tors there are, the greater the danger will be. 



1846 If a person be abroad in a thunder storm, what place is the 

 safest ? 



Any place about twenty or thirty feet from a tall 

 tree, building, or stream of water. 



1847* Why would it be safe to stand twenty or thirty feet from a tall 

 tree during a thunder storm ? 



Because the lightning generally chooses tall trees as 

 conductors, and we should not be sufficiently near the 

 trees for the lightning to diverge from them to us. 



1848 Why is the middle of a room more safe than any other part of 

 it in a thunder storm ? 



Because the lightning (if it should strike the room at 

 all) would come down the chimney or walls of the room; 

 and therefore the farther distant from these, the better. 



184Q Why is a mattress, bed, or hearth-rug a good security against 

 injury from, lightning ? 



Because they are all non-conductors ; and as lightning 

 always makes choice of the lest conductors, it would not 

 choose for its path such things as these. 



1850 What is the safest thing a person can do to avoid injury from 

 lightning ? 



Lie upon a led in the middle of a room. A led filled 

 with feathers is an excellent non-conductor. 



1851 Is there not generally a greater apprehension of the danger from 

 lightning than experience would justify ? 



The apprehension and solicitude respecting lightning 



