LIGHTNING AND THUNDER 125 



starch are much more frequently struck than those 

 rich in rosin; that is, an elm or poplar is more likely 

 to be hit than a pine or a spruce. But often it ap- 

 pears to be the tree with good current transmission 

 that is struck. Trees deeply rooted are more fre- 

 quently struck than shallow-rooted ones. If a 

 tree is shallow-rooted, or is rooted among dry rocks, 

 it is something of an insulator, or poor conductor. 

 There is little likelihood of its being used by a 

 lightning bolt in reaching the earth. A green tree 

 rooted in a moist place or among mineralized rocks 

 is an excellent conductor and offers shelter of first 

 rank for those of the suicide club. The old pine 

 struck fourteen times was rooted in an outcrop 

 of iron ore and a number of its roots penetrated 

 the moist soil to a near-by brook. 



Years ago, while making a nature address, I was 

 asked the question: "Does lightning ever strike a 

 mulberry tree?" I did not know, and answered 

 another question which was asked at the same 

 instant, ignored the mulberry tree, and went on 

 talking. At the next pause, however, the lady re- 

 peated her question in these words: "If I take ref- 

 uge beneath a mulberry tree during a thunder 

 storm will I be safe?" Being young, wise, and 

 impertinent, I could not miss the opportunity to 

 say: "Madam, it all depends upon the kind of life 

 you're leading." 



Many believe that it is most dangerous to take 

 refuge beneath a tree during a storm, especially 



