156 - PHILOSOPHICAL TBANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1743. 



iliately electrified again to the same degree as before, and touch b, the snapping 

 is less on the touch ; and this snapping, on electrifying a, becomes less and less, 

 till B, being impregnated with electricity, though received at intervals, the snap- 

 ])ing will no longer be sensible. 



If a number of pieces of finely spun glass, cut to about an inch in length, and 

 little bits of fine wire of the same length, of what metal you please, and small 

 cork balls, be either put all together, or each by themselves, into a dry pewter 

 plate, or on a piece of polished metal, they make, in the following manner, a very 

 odd and surprising appearance. Let a man, standing on electrical cakes, hold 

 this plate in his hand, with the bits of glass, wire, &c. detached from each other, 

 as much as conveniently may be ; when he is electrified, let him cause a person 

 standing on the ground to bring another plate, or his hand, or any other non- 

 electric, exactly over the plate, containing these bodies. When his hand, &c. 

 is about 8 inches over them, let him bring it down gently : as it comes near, in 

 proportion to the strength of the electricity, he will observe the bits of glass first 

 raise themselves upright; and then, if he brings his hand nearer, they will dart 

 directly up, and stick to it without snapping. The bits of wire will fly up like- 

 wise, and as they come near the hand snap aloud; you feel a smart stroke, and 

 see the fire arising from them to the hand at every stroke : each of these, as soon 

 as they have discharged their fire, falls down again on the plate. The cork balls 

 also fly up, and strike the hand, but fall again directly. You have a constant 

 succession of these appearances, as long as you continue to electrify the man 

 in whose hand the plate is held ; but if you touch any part either of the man or 

 plate, the pieces of glass, which before were on their ends, immediately fall 

 down. 



Some few years ago. Sir James Lowther* brought some bladders filled with 

 mflammable air, collected from his coal-mines, to the Royal Society. This air 

 flamed, on a lighted candle being brought near it. This inflammability has oc- 

 casioned many terrible accidents. Mr. Maud, a worthy member of this Society, 

 made at that time, by art, and showed the Society, air exactly of the same qua- 

 lity. Mr. W. was desirous of knowing if this air would be kindled by electrical 

 flashes. He accordingly made such air, by putting an ounce of filings of iron, 

 an ounce of oil of vitriol, and 4 ounces of water, into a Florence flask ; on which 

 an ebullition ensued, and the air, which arose from these materials, not only 

 filled 3 bladders, but also, on the application of the finger of an electrified person, 

 took flame, and burnt near the top and out of the neck of the flask a considerable 

 time. When the flame is almost out, shake the flask, and the flame revives. 

 You must, with your finger dipped in water, moisten the mouth of the flask as 



* See these Trans. N" 442.— Orig. 



