ELECTRICAL PHENOMENA IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 403 
wind-vane was outlined with the same phosphorescent light, and one of the vis- 
itors was very much alarmed by sparks which were plainly visible to us in his 
hair, though none appeared in ours. 
At the time of occurrence of the phenomenon snow was falling, and I had 
previously noticed that the singing noise is never heard except when the atmos- 
phere is very damp, and rain, hail, or snow is falUng. 
1877, March 30. — At sunset I heard on the wire the peculiar singing noise 
which was referred to several times last summer, and which was generally heard 
when the air was moist, very quiet and heavily charged with electricity. 
April. — Foggy; snow in the afternoon and frequent crackling of the light- 
ning arrestor. 
May 24. — Wind, fog, snow, hail, and electricity. The electricity was strong 
during the day, and assistants and myself received severe shocks. The floor is 
saturated with water which has leaked through the ceiling and thus a connection 
is made with the battery and ground-wire, and under these circumstances there 
is more than usual cause to feel severe, if not fatal shocks of electricity. 
July 27. — Electricity very intense. Could not send report. 
ABSTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. WILLIAM BLAKE. 
1877, August 6. — From 8:50 P. M.to 9:20 P. M., hail-storm accompanied by 
intense electricity. All metal objects tipped with sparks. 
October 13. — Snow all day. During the afternoon the atmosphere was 
highly charged with electricity. 
November 13. — Snow all day. Electricity appears to be very intense. 
November 25. — At 7 P. M., brisk snow attended by very intense electricity, 
which could be heard crackling in a person's hair continuously, although there 
were no reports of thunder in the storm. 
December 26 — Snow. Atmospheric electricity was very intense during day 
and at times would crackle on various objects in the room. 
1878, January 25. — Severe thunder-storms in the afternoon in surrounding 
parks and gulches. The electricity on the summit was very intense, and there 
was a contmuous snapping of the lightning arrestor, 
March 6. — Westerly gale; temperature higher, and in the afternoon a beau- 
tiful display of cirrus. Atmospheric electricity was very strong on the summit 
during the day, and it was difficult to work the line on account of the passage of 
frictional sparks. 
March 26. — Very intense electricity during the forenoon. 
April 22. — Heavy thunder-clouds hung over South Park during the day and 
at times electricity very dense on the summit, without discharges, though inces- 
sant crackling on the lightning arrestor and in one's hair. No sunset report was 
made on account of the atmospheric electricity on the wires. 
April 27. — Thunder-storm in the valley. Electricity very dense on summit. 
May 12. — A snow storm occurred during the night and at i P. M. was 
•drifting furiously by a rising gale. The electricity varied with the winds-gusts 
