VOL. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 301 



serves for the stopping the blood in the smaller vessels, as well as that part which 

 touches the tree. This last was what was powdered, and applied in the little 

 bag, as in the operations of the charity. 



The 2d part is what Mr. F. makes use of in amputations, cut into pieces. It 

 must be beaten by a hammer till it is soft; and this is its whole preparation. 

 Every part is prepared alike. The best time of collecting it Mr. Brossard has 

 found to be in the autumn, in fine weather, after great heats. 



XCV. A Letter from Benjamin Franklin, Esq. to Mr. Peter CoUinson, F.R.S. 

 concerning an Electrical Kite. Dated Philadelphia, Oct. 1, 1752. p. 565. 



As frequent mention is made in the public papers from Europe, of the success 

 of the Philadelphia experiment, for drawing the electric fire from clouds by 

 means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings, &c. it may be agree- 

 able to the curious to be informed, that the same experiment has succeeded in 

 Philadelphia, though made in a different and more easy manner, which any one 

 may try, as follows: 



Make a small cross, of two light strips of cedar ; the arms so long, as to 

 reach to the 4 comers of a large thin silk hankerchief, when extended: tie the 

 corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross: so you have the 

 body of a kite; which being properly accommodated with a tail, loop, and string, 

 will rise in the air like those made of paper; but this, being of silk, is fitter to 

 bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust without tearing. To the top of the 

 upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp-pointed wire, rising a foot 

 or more above the wood. To the end of the twine, next the hand, is to be tied 

 a silk ribband; and where the twine and silk join, a key may be fastened. 



The kite is to be raised, when a thunder gust appears to be coming on, and 

 the person who holds the string must stand within a door, or window, or under 

 some cover, so that the silk ribband may not be wet; and care must be taken, 

 that the twine does not touch the frame of the door or window. As soon as 

 any of the thunder clouds come over the kite, the pointed wire will draw the 

 electric fire from them; and the kite, with all the twine, will be electrified; and 

 the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way, and be attracted by an 

 approaching finger. 



When the rain has wet the kite and twine, so that it can conduct the electric 

 fire freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach 

 of your knuckle. At this key the phial may be charged; and from electric fire 

 thus obtained spirits may be kindled, and all the other electrical experiments be 

 performed, which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe or tube, 

 and thus the sameness of the electric matter with that of lightning completely 

 demonstrated. 



