230 TRAKSACTI0N3 OF THE AMERICAN INSTITOTE. 



of Andover, Middleton, Reading, Danvers, and other places. It 

 would be very gratifying to many others as well as myself, to bo 

 informed in the reports of these barn-burnings, how many had 

 lightning conductors on them, or whether they were all destitute 

 of lightning rods. There seems to be a prevailing interest in the 

 public mind in regard to the utility of lightning rods. The best 

 evidence is a statement of facts, and the best way to come at 

 facts is to know whether those buildings which were furnished 

 with rods were entirely exempt from disaster, or whether the 

 lightning made no discrimination between protected and unpro- 

 tected buildings. Some people are of the opinion that the attrac- 

 tive power of the rods is very limited and feeble, while others 

 have great confidence in their power ; if we could obtain the 

 statistics of this and part years from every person in the State 

 who has had a building struck by lightning, it would furnish ua 

 with knowledge we much desire." 



This question was discussed to considerable length — one 

 speaker advocating several points at the top of the rod, which 

 should be perfectly insulated. He very earnestly recommended 

 "Otis's patent lightning rod," but gave no very important facts, 

 though a great many words. He is fully convinced that man 

 can control the lightning. He advocated points and conductors 

 all over the building. Still, he did not believe that a lightning 

 rod has any attractive power. 



Mr. Cavenach said he saw two of these Otis rods put up this 

 season, only six inches in the earth, and he asked if that could 

 possibly be of any account as a conductor. So also several of 

 the insulators were broken, and he wanted to know what benefit 

 such insulators were. He did not get a satisfactory answer. 



Mr. Pardee introduced the following resolution: 



Resolved, That persons here or elsewhere who have facts, fallen 

 under their own observation, proving that lightning rods are 

 useful or otherwise as protectors to buildings, are requested to 

 communicate the same to Henry Meigs, Esq., Cooper Institute, 

 New York. 



This was adopted, and it is hoped that it will be acted upon. 



Adjourned. 



HENRY MEIGS, Secretary. 



