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Observations on Trees, as Conductors of Lightning. 14 



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It is said, that just after the total darkness at Quebec, "a 

 large ball of fire fell into the river, near a large ship, which 



was seen by raanj; It caused an uncommon a^^itation in 



I the water." 



AY. HEATH. 



XVI. Observations on Trees, as Conductors of Lightning. By 



Mr. HUGH MAXWELL. 



SIK, 



LIcath, June 21st, 1787. 



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HAVE no manner of doubt; but that your Society ^vill 

 very readily attend to every kind of information that 

 is designed to propagate useful knowledge ; and as freely to 

 answer every honest inquhy^ although from ever so obscure 

 a quarter. And I hold it a duty incumbent on evefy per- 

 son to offer such communications; and to make such in- 

 quiries as may tend to serve the publick. 



I have observed^ that the lightning often strikes the Ehn, 

 the Chesnut; every species^ of the Oak, and Pine^ and some- 

 times the Ashj with many other sorts of trees : but I can- 

 not recollect; that I have ever seen the Beech, the Birch, or 

 the Maple, struck by lightning. I have made inquiry a- 

 mong the small circle of my acquaintance ; and I cannot 

 find; that miy person has ever observed the effect of the light- 

 ning on ^x^^Q, sort of trees. Now, sir, if this is really the 

 case, that the li<?htning^ does not touch the Beech, the Birch, 





or the Maple (as I think it to be) then the question will 



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rise 



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