ELECTRICAL PHENOMENA IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 401 
ABSTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. THOEDOVIUS. 
October 5. — Thunder-storm. Received severe shock while endeavoring to 
call base station. 
ABSTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. J. V. BROWN FOR 1 87 5. 
May 24. — Hail. Electricity; at times the office filled with it, while sparks 
from the lightning arrestor filled the room with sulphurous smoke. Lightning 
struck wire near the house, nearly knocking observer down. Amount of elec- 
tricity increased and decreased with increase and decrease of hail, which fact is 
noticeable in all our storms. 
May 29. — Hail with electricity. I notice that in all our hail-storms the fall 
entirely ceases for about half a minute following a heavy electric discharge, and 
that the hail-fall is considerably heavier for some little time following the discharge 
than before. 
July 5. — At noon, electric storm with hail. At first its effects were felt or 
seen on the line, but at 2 P. M. its presence was felt on the summit. From the 
lightning arrestor there was a constant stream of flame, filling the building with 
sulphurous smoke. Out of doors it was even worse. There was a constant 
crackling noise in the air as though it were by pistols. 
July 26. — Electricity has been very strong all day, at times stopping com- 
munications with the base station. 
July 27. — Atmospheric electricity was so strong that signals could not be 
sent this afternoon. 
August 9. — Atmospheric electricity very strong. 
October. — Atmospheric electricity through lightning arrestor. Instruments 
appeared on fire. 
December. — Line from summit to timber line covered with snow works 
excellent; it seems that it works better; but if the line but touches the ground 
below the lake it goes into bankruptcy at once. 
ABSTRACTS FROM JOURNAL OF MR. CHARLES M. ' HOBBS FOR 1876. 
January. — Difficult to keep the electric self-register of anemometer. 
April 24. — Almost clear sky. Lightning. The presence of electricity in 
the air was also manifested by a continual crackling at the lightning arrestor, but 
I had no difficulty in working the instrument. 
April 31. — Replenished the main line battery this afternoon. After I had 
made the proper connections I could get no current from the Springs and have 
had none up to the present writing. 
May II. — Thunder and hail. Was compelled to cut out the wires owing to 
the intensity of the electricity. I attempted it with an ungloved hand and in so 
doing learned a lesson that was an impression at once. Luckily I escaped with 
a slightly bruised head. 
May 24. — At 6 P. M. , thunder and lightning West and southeast of Peak. 
One bright, long flash leaped out of lightning arrestor, which was continually 
