144 Vd'all's Exjmimeixts in EledricUy. 



rise in mj mind, whence the reason of it? Is it from the 

 shape and form of the tree?. Or, is it in the nature and 

 qiiahty of that sort of wood, to resist that which has been 

 judged by many to be irresistible? Or, do those trees con- 

 duct the hohtning, without any injury to themselves? If it 



should appear,' that those trees are not liable to the stroke 

 of lightning, aYid the reasons appear, why they are not, then 

 perhaps, it may be of service to erect our buildings in 

 whole, or in part, with these sorts of timber. But I must 



leave the improvement of the hint to the gentlemen of your 

 Society for propagating useful knowledge. And if the same, 

 .or similar observations have been made by others, I have 

 this consolation, tliat my intent in this is to serve my coun- 

 try, which fully rewards 



your most obedient, 



and very humble servant, 



HUGH MAXWELL. 



4 



His Excclknc?/ James Bowdol\, Esq. f. a. a. 



XYII. Experimenh in Ehctricitij . Bu Mr. JOHN VINALL 



SIE, 



Bodon, May 23d, 1790. 



M 



N making use of my large electrical machina, which is 

 constructed with both a positive, and a ne^rative con- 

 ductor, the air being humid, and consequentl^r'^nfavoura- 

 ble for electrical experiments, I made use of a small iron 

 pan with some coals under the machine, in order to qualify 

 the surrounding atmosphere, so as to answer my purpose. 



By 



I 



I 



