252 CASES OF LIGHTNING DISCHARGE. 
same observer. In this case two trees (Erythrina and Detarium) 
appeared to have been struck simultaneously. "Though the da- 
mage apparent was very slight and confined to the bark, decay 
began in the Erythrina within ten days. Another Erythrina ad- 
joining died soon after, but the Detarinm was unhurt. Another 
с 
and then flames, about half way up the trunk. The fire went 
up very quickly and I ordered the tree to be cut down.” 
When the writer saw the tree, the fibrous material which covers 
these palms was still smouldering, but the closest examination 
failed to reveal any traces of damage other than that caused by 
fire, and the surrounding trees were quite unhurt. Three months 
afterwards, however, the similar palms in a radius of twelve or 
fifteen feet from that struck were completely dead. 
A remarkable point in this instance is that although the 
palm struck was over sixty feet in height, and surrounded by 
others even taller, the flash should have struck it in the middle. 
Mr. Ridley has noted a similar case in which an explosion took 
place in the fork of a Rambutan tree only six feet above the 
ground between the base of the fork and a birds-nest fern, and 
set fire to the roots of the fern. There was no damage done to 
this tree except from burns, but a chicken at its tase was killed. 
ouse. To the former two a flame-coloured flash seemed to fall 
